Master Apprentice Archive Re-Entry: Diverging Paths Quick search:

Archive: MA, of course. Anyone else, please ask.

Category: Qui/Obi, AU, Nearly-Slash, Drama-ish, Mild Angst

Rating: PG-13

Warnings: Nah

Spoilers: Nope. ...okay, okay. If you haven't seen the prequels... you're weird. You will also be confused.

Summary: Diverging Paths I takes place approximately four years after Waking Dream, and a few months after the last scene in Bits and Pieces. Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Anakin's lives are about to undergo a significant change.

Series order so far is:

Waking Dream

Cold

Bits and Pieces - Will be revamped eventually.

Diverging Paths<-- You are here.

Diverging Paths II

Diverging Paths III

Diverging Paths IV

Attainment

Attainment II

Feedback: Oh, yes yes yes yes yes. I am a feedback vacuum!

Disclaimer: "Rob? That's a naughty word, we never rob! We just... sort of borrow."
"Borrow? Boy, are we in debt!"

Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn stood serenely before the Jedi Council, hands folded neatly into the sleeves of their robes. The Council was a bit less serene than usual; in fact, if it weren't for subtle use of the Force, many of them would have long since bolted from the room.

To say that the two Jedi looked horrible would be to pay them a compliment. Both men's clothes were caked with mud and plant matter, but even through the muck, the dried blood was still visible. They were both pale, with faces that spoke of exhaustion, but it was hard to tell from the dirt that marred their skin and hair.

To say that the two Jedi smelled would be akin to saying that slaughterhouse made an excellent scent of perfume.

Finally Mace spoke, even though he dreaded it. Even Jedi Masters could only filter out so much. "Was your mission to Kelin VI successful, then?"

"As well as can be expected, yes," Qui-Gon answered, well-aware of the Council's reaction to their current state and enjoying every minute of it. He could sense Obi-Wan's almost gleeful amusement through their pair-bond. "It took longer than expected for the treaty between the Kels and the Yellin to be signed, but the outcome was agreeable to both parties."

Finally Ki Adi Mundi could stand it no longer. "Couldn't you have showered first?" he asked, a hint of despair in the Knight's voice.

It was Obi-Wan who answered, voice perfectly humble as he addressed the other. "The only transport we could catch was a freighter on water restriction. And the Council did say that they wished to see us as soon as we arrived, Knight Mundi. Neither myself nor Master Jinn had reason to defy the Council in this matter."

Mace, who was already scowling at Qui-Gon, turned and glared at Obi-Wan. "I wish you would not pick and choose your times to be defiant."

Obi-Wan merely inclined his head. "Yes, Master Windu."

"Fooling me, the two of you are not," Yoda said finally, with a small chuckle. The little being looked as amused as Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan felt. "Report you will, then clean yourselves, you must. Traumatize the younglings, you may!"

Does he mean the Initiates or the Council? Obi-Wan asked Qui-Gon with a soft mental laugh.

Qui-Gon was kept from guessing at an answer by Mace. "Yes, please," he said, waving one dark-skinned hand. "Tell us of your mission." As fast as possible, was Mace's unspoken comment.

Qui-Gon paused a moment to gather his thoughts, then launched into a description of events from their landing on Kelin VI onward. The entire mission had been as messy as their appearance, but he did keep the story brief; torturing the Council was enjoyable, but Qui-Gon was beginning to itch with the desire to strip off filthy clothes and surrender himself to a long, hot shower. He and Obi-Wan traded off on duties such as this, and it was simply his turn to debrief the Council. Obi-Wan interjected occasionally to offer further information when Qui-Gon might have forgotten to include it. Otherwise he was still and silent, until Qui-Gon drew the narrative to a close.

Out of the corner of his eye, Qui-Gon saw Obi-Wan twitch. It was subtle, but it was definitely a twitch. Obi-Wan?

Oh dear. Obi-Wan twitched again.

Mace, who still looked distinctly unhappy with them, noticed immediately. "Something wrong, Knight Kenobi?"

"Uhm," Obi-Wan said, and then his eyebrows shot towards his hairline in surprise. He began patting his tunics hurriedly, obviously looking for something. And he was still twitching.

"Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon looked at him in some concern, especially when Obi-Wan shoved a hand inside his clothing. He worked his hand around inside his tunics for a silent moment, studious look of concentration on his face.

Qui-Gon couldn't help but take a step back in surprise when Obi-Wan drew a slender brown snake out of his trousers.

"Hmm," said Yoda, unperturbed. "A passenger you seem to have acquired."

"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan replied, holding the snake out at arm's length. He didn't seem to know what to do with it, though the snake was busy trying to coil itself around Obi-Wan's arm.

"How in the worlds did you bring that all the way from Kelin VI?" Depa asked. Qui-Gon observed that she had quickly and neatly folded her legs up underneath her and swept her robes up off of the floor. The Jedi Master smiled inwardly and added 'fear of reptiles' to his anti-Council arsenal listing.

"The snake probably couldn't tell the difference between Kenobi and the planet," Eeth Koth said, smiling faintly. Like most of the Council, the Zabrakian was trying very hard not to breathe in.

"They do make good pets," Saesee Tiin pointed out, attempting to be helpful.

Obi-Wan blinked. "I don't keep pets there."

There was a moment of silence before a wave of laughter struck the Council Chamber. It was quiet humor, mostly, but Qui-Gon was hard pressed not to break down in tears of hysterical laughter right there on the floor, exhausted as he was by the long mission. Obi-Wan's elegantly indignant expression held for just a moment more before he smiled as well, shaking his head.

Qui-Gon brought himself under control with effort, just in time to notice Adi Gallia wiping moisture away from her eyes with a subtle gesture. He smiled at her, and she grinned back unabashedly. It wasn't often that laughter was heard in this chamber. "Is there anything else, Qui-Gon?" Mace asked, steepling his fingers together as a visible sign of regaining his center.

"I believe that covers everything, Masters," Qui-Gon said, he and Obi-Wan both bowing formally as the Council dismissed them. It looked a little bit odd on Obi-Wan's part, as he had a reptile wrapped around his arm, but the younger man managed it with his ever-present grace.

"Qui-Gon, what am I going to do with this thing?" Obi-Wan asked as soon as the Council doors closed behind them.

"I don't know," Qui-Gon admitted, pausing to investigate the snake. It was quite pretty, with its tan and black-striped belly and subtle black markings underneath the overlaying brown top. "We can't release it into the gardens." "I doubt those meditating there would appreciate this little fellow crawling up into their pants," Obi-Wan grinned, running one finger along the snake's back. The reptile was fairly radiating feelings of warmth and contentment.

"It seems very fond of you," Qui-Gon teased.

"It only loves me for my body heat," Obi-Wan said in a mournful tone, still caressing the snake.

Qui-Gon considered that statement for a moment, and was utterly unprepared for the hammerblow of arousal that hit him. He instinctively shielded their bond from it, even as his thoughts went from centered to confused in the space of two breaths. What in the worlds was that?

Obi-Wan didn't notice anything amiss until he realized Qui-Gon was no longer following him. "Qui?" he half-turned, looking at the other Jedi expectantly. "I know you're fond of abusing the Council, but if the cleaning droids find you out here, they're going to submit you to a very public cleaning."

Qui-Gon smiled sheepishly and quickly rejoined Obi-Wan. Reflection on his body's rather unexpected response could wait for the privacy of his own quarters.

They exited the lift and stepped into the hall of one of the more public venues; by accident or by design, they had to catch another lift to take them back to the residential section of the Temple. Obi-Wan was smiling at the rather wide berth by which people were avoiding them. Qui-Gon suddenly sympathized with the Council. If the two of them reeked horribly enough to be avoided in a wide open space, the Council Chamber must have been... ripe.

"OBI-WAN!" a little boy's voice cried, and immediately the two Jedi were confronted by the sight of Anakin Skywalker running to greet them, his perpetually unkempt blond hair even more disheveled than usual. "Master Qui-Gon!"

Obi-Wan's face broke into a grin. "Ani!" he greeted the nine-year old Initiate.

Qui-Gon, expecting Anakin to throw himself into their arms as per his usual greeting, was surprised when the boy stopped short five feet away from them. Anakin looked back and forth between them, a frown forming on his face. "You guys look terrible," he said. He sniffed the air, nose wrinkling in distaste. "And you stink, too."

"That's not very diplomatic, Anakin," Obi-Wan said, eyebrow raised slightly. Anakin straightened himself and managed a very proper expression and tone. "Master Yoda tells me that I should always be honest with my elders."

"Not that honest," Qui-Gon said wryly.

Anakin was unrepentant. "You guys need baths. You," he pointed at Qui-Gon, "your quarters. You," Anakin pointed at Obi-Wan, "your quarters. Shower. Use all the hot water in the Temple if you have to. Then we're all going to have dinner in Qui-Gon's quarters. Deodorize them first," Anakin instructed Qui-Gon, who was hard pressed to contain his amusement at the boy's commanding tone. "Or you'll kill the food."

"Dinner," Obi-Wan mused. "That… is an excellent idea. I'll go --"

"I'll handle dinner," Anakin interrupted, with the sigh of the long-suffering. "You. Clean. Now."

Obi-Wan's lips quirked in a smile. "Very well, Ani. We bow to your greater wisdom. But as my small friend here would not appreciate the shower as much as I will..." Gently Obi-Wan disentangled the snake from his arm and held it out to Ani.

"Wizard," the boy breathed, utterly entranced by the reptile as it curled around the arm of its new host, tongue-flicking out as it moved. "I love snakes!"

Qui-Gon glanced at Obi-Wan. And a solution presents itself.

Obi-Wan looked pleased. It'll be good for him. He needs something to look after.

Besides us?

Anakin finally looked up as the snake settled in. "What am I going to feed him? Where will I put him?" Apparently he had already decided the snake was his.

"I suggest that you go see Master P'charee. He's the resident temple zoologist. And if Master P'charee doesn't already have equipment on hand to loan you for this one's care, I will be very surprised." Obi-Wan gently steered Anakin in the proper direction. "Dinner in two hours. And don't forget our food!" he instructed as the boy strode away.

"Two hours?" Qui-Gon asked, amused.

Obi-Wan smiled back. "I plan to take Anakin's instructions about hot water very seriously."

The three of them met in Qui-Gon's quarters at the appointed time, their usual meeting place. Obi-Wan maintained that it was by virtue of Qui-Gon's quarters being the largest, but once, under careful prodding, Obi-Wan had reluctantly admitted that he felt more at home in these rooms than anywhere else. It made Qui-Gon regret all the more his casual mention of separate quarters years ago. In thinking that he would be giving his former Padawan some much-looked forward to privacy, he'd instead managed to chase the young man out of a longed-for comfort. Yet, every time he'd considered inviting Obi-Wan back, he'd managed to dismiss the notion. He came up with many reasons: the Padawan quarters of his suite were too small for someone who, as a Knight, deserved much more. It would be inconvenient for Obi-Wan to move in, and then move right back out again when he took his own Padawan Learner, as they would need rooms of their own. Whatever the reason, he'd failed to make the gesture, and now it was certainly far too late.

Anakin had raided the commissary with precision, and already a large sampling of food was spread out on the table. He always seemed to instinctively select the dishes that were good, and stayed far away from those that were, quite honestly, horrible. Obi-Wan was sitting at the table, listening politely as the boy talked. Qui-Gon smiled; every time he and Obi-Wan went on a mission, Anakin made it a point to tell them every single thing that had happened in their absence. The result was a charming mix of Anakin's own activities, comings and goings of Initiates, Knights, and Masters, and a large helping of gossip for good measure. It was almost as efficient as asking Yoda, who knew more about Temple matters than anyone.

"...And Master Windu is building a new lightsaber," Anakin was saying, as Qui-Gon prepared the tea. "It's a lot better than the last one, but it is such a pimp saber."

"Ani!" Obi-Wan's voice was chastising, but he was grinning.

"It's true!" Anakin retorted. "The hilt's a silver base, but all of the outer controls and parts are gold. And he's using purple crystals. Pimp-saber. I saw enough of that back on Tatooine to call it what it is."

"Anakin, that's not a very nice thing to say about a Master's weapon," Obi-Wan said mildly, still striving to be disapproving.

"You thought it once, too. And don't you pretend you didn't! I heard it plain as day!"

Qui-Gon stilled his movements, the better to hear. It was not often that Obi-Wan and Anakin made reference to the strange vision that had struck them both four years ago, and he was, as always, intensely curious.

"Thinking it is different than blurting it out loud, Ani," Obi-Wan said defensively.

Anakin looked vindicated. "So there. And I promise I won't blurt it out loud to anyone else. But I'm not gonna stop thinking it."

Qui-Gon decided he really needed to have a look at Mace's new lightsaber.

Dinner was a lively affair. They traded information by agreement; Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon told Anakin of their mission, which the boy delighted in, and Anakin would inform them exactly how well --or badly-- he was doing in his academic classes. Some subjects were discussed more enthusiastically than others.

Sometime during the course of the meal Qui-Gon found himself studying Obi-Wan. It was something he had done often over the last four years, cataloging the changes as a sixteen year old boy grew into a twenty year old man. Washed free of the muck that had plagued them over the past weeks, Obi-Wan's hair flowed down to his shoulders, long since grown out from a Padawan's cut. It was still a dark auburn, but held hints of a lighter copper. Both length and color complemented the younger man's fair skin and luminous blue-green eyes.

He was, Qui-Gon admitted to himself, very beautiful. Maybe the spike of desire he'd felt earlier wasn't as out of place as he'd originally thought.

Obi-Wan turned his head and caught Qui-Gon's stare, raising an inquisitive eyebrow. "What?" he asked, and Qui-Gon suddenly found himself fighting a blush at getting caught staring so openly. "Something wrong?"

"No, no." Qui-Gon hurried to reassure him. "I was just thinking."

"Must have been serious," Obi-Wan grinned. "You were staring at me like I hold all of the answers in the universe."

"Just a few, my arrogant former Padawan."

"Arrogant?" Obi-Wan repeated in a mock-injured tone of voice. "How do you like that, Anakin? I only saved us from a tense situation on Juros Minor with a bit of wisdom, and he informs me that I am arrogant!"

"As I recall, that bit of wisdom that saved us was, "Run like hell," Qui-Gon reminded his partner.

"And it worked very well."

Anakin placed both hands over his mouth to either stifle a giggle or keep the food he'd been chewing where it belonged. It did nothing to hide his wide, laughing eyes, which were leaking tears.

"I suppose it did, at that. The Council wasn't very happy with us, however."

"Bah." Obi-Wan waved one hand dismissively. "They're never happy with us. The rebelliously long-haired maverick Jedi Master and his ridiculously young Knight partner. I imagine that in retaliation for today's retaliation for them sending us to Kelin VI in the first place, they're going to send us someplace even smellier, in which case we'll be able to retaliate again." Anakin was now calling on all of his youthful control to keep from laughing himself sick.

Qui-Gon managed to maintain his serene expression for a full minute before he grinned broadly. "Oh, Obi-Wan. What would become of me if it weren't for you?"

"You probably don't want to know," Obi-Wan said, and his eyes --normally clear and focused, bright with humor-- were distant and haunted, an expression that he'd awoken with in the Healer’s ward four years ago. Qui-Gon saw those emotions almost infrequently now, but every time Obi-Wan gained that expression, Qui-Gon felt something twist inside his heart.

"You'd probably be cleaner," Anakin pointed out, trying to lighten the sudden gloom.

Qui-Gon felt that phantom pain now, as only a ghost of a smile crossed Obi-Wan's lips in reply to Anakin's comment. "Obi-Wan?"

"You look quite a bit better than... well, than you did," Obi-Wan said, surprising both he and Anakin. Besides steadfastly refusing to discuss critical details of his vision with the Council, Obi-Wan also refused to discuss what their life had been like before. The only things he would discuss with Qui-Gon involved the training Obi-Wan had undergone in his vision, tactics and techniques Qui-Gon was forced to admit were exactly as he would have taught Obi-Wan, were the man still his Padawan. "You were... the same age, but older. Tired, frazzled. Quite a bit grayer around the edges," Obi-Wan said, eyes drifting over Qui-Gon's hair, which held only traces of silver. "As a student, I think I was quite the pain in the ass."

Qui-Gon thought back to the missions, emotions, and close escapes that the two of them had shared in the first three years of Obi-Wan's apprenticeship and had to smile. "Just enthusiastic, Obi-Wan."

"Hmph," was Obi-Wan's only comment, sounding quite a bit like Yoda when someone was being particularly trying. He fell completely silent, chin resting on his clasped hands. Anakin looked at him for a long moment before apparently deciding enough was enough.

"Obi-Wan..." the boy said, looking up at him. "It happened, and it didn't happen. Dwelling on it isn't going to make you feel any better, but it's sure gonna make you feel a lot worse." Anakin reached across the table and poked his master in the nose with his index finger. "Focus on the moment is what you people keep telling me."

Obi-Wan focused on the finger that was still pointing at his nose, then looked at Anakin. "Very well. Focus on the moment.... " He leaned back in his chair, studying Anakin in such a way that made the boy twitch in reaction. "In this moment, Ani, I realize that you need a haircut."

Anakin frowned. "Uhm... there's nothing wrong with my hair that a good combing won't fix. Honest." Qui-Gon snorted in private disbelief; that was like claiming that a good regimen of diet and exercise would have the galaxy populated by fit and trim Hutts in no time. That hair had been straight as a stick on Tatooine, Qui-Gon remembered, but within several months of living on Coruscant, Anakin's blond locks had developed a life of their own.

"That's not exactly true, but you've got to have the haircut to go with the Padawan title." Obi-Wan paused, and looked strangely hesitant.... almost, Qui-Gon thought, fearful. "That is, if you don't mind having me as your Master. I didn't exactly do the most wonderful job the first time around."

It took a full minute for Anakin to process what Obi-Wan was saying. "Padawan? You mean it?" At Obi-Wan's hesitant nod, Anakin let out a whoop of joy and launched himself out of his chair to hug Obi-Wan. "Are you out of your mind? Of course I want you as my Master!"

Obi-Wan hugged the boy back fiercely, eyes blinking rapidly with suppressed tears. Watching them, Obi-Wan teasing Anakin by tugging on the lock of hair that would soon become a Padawan braid, Qui-Gon was surprised by the resentment that suddenly surfaced. Astonished at himself, he tracked the feeling down to its source and came face to face with jealousy, rearing its ugly black head and fighting for dominance.

What in the Force is wrong with me today?

Qui-Gon took a deep breath and forced himself to think. Logic didn't have much to do with emotion, but it could at least allow him to step back and puzzle this out.

Qui-Gon wholeheartedly approved of Obi-Wan taking the boy as his Padawan. They were linked by the vision they'd shared, and had a very strong bond of friendship and camaraderie between them. They seemed to take turns caring for each other, and had a balance between them that most Master-Padawan pairs had to work years to develop -- balance that usually didn't occur until the Padawan in question reached maturity.

Obi-Wan might have been young to take a Padawan normally, but Qui-Gon knew that to be groundless. In the first year of their partnership, Qui-Gon had witnessed first-hand that despite his seemingly young age, Obi-Wan did indeed have a lifetime's worth of knowledge and experience. He was fearless, a pinnacle of such strength that Qui-Gon had found he could depend on him no matter the task. Qui-Gon accepted this and simply tried to be the same for Obi-Wan in return. Whatever might come to pass, Qui-Gon had no doubt that Anakin would become a great Jedi under Obi-Wan's tutelage.

Which left him... alone. After Xanatos he'd welcomed solitude, reveled in it, until a thirteen year old boy had reached into the shadows to bring his heart back to the light. Qui-Gon felt a great deal of sadness at the thought of returning to that. He knew that this day would have come sooner or later, waiting in the wings until curtain call brought it to the fore. Their partnership would end, Obi-Wan would begin training Anakin in earnest, and the two of them would go their separate ways, seeing each other but rarely.

Of course, knowing that had done little to prepare him for it. Qui-Gon surmised that he was going to be wearing holes in his meditation mat in the coming weeks, trying to come to terms.

He didn't realize Obi-Wan was trying to get his attention until the other man waved a hand in front of his face. "Coruscant to Qui-Gon."

Qui-Gon blinked, realizing he'd sank into a light trance right there at the table. "What?"

Anakin was gazing at him with narrowed blue eyes. "I dunno where you were, but it was a million light years from here."

He smiled. "Sorry. What did I miss?"

"I was asking you if you minded me taking Anakin as my Padawan," Obi-Wan said. He was smiling, relaxed, but his eyes were a peculiar shade of gray. Something was definitely going on in those depths.

"Of course not," Qui-Gon replied, puzzled. "Why would I mind?"

"Well, most working pairs tend not to incorporate Padawans. You'd have to deal with Anakin as much as I would, and I know you weren't exactly inclined towards Padawans when we began my Apprenticeship. That is..." Obi-Wan trailed off, as Qui-Gon stared at him blankly. "I mean, if you want to continue working together. I'd just assumed..."

Qui-Gon stared at him a moment longer as he processed what Obi-Wan was saying. Finally it clicked, and he grinned, feeling more relieved than he cared to admit. "Of course I don't mind, and of course I'd like to continue working together. I was sitting here rather miserable with the notion that our partnership had just ended."

"Ended?" It was Obi-Wan's turn to look at him blankly. Finally he chuckled ruefully. "I think, pair-bond or not, we need to work on our communication skills."

"I don't get it," Anakin spoke up, looking back and forth between them in confusion. "What does you guys working together have to do with anything?"

"Personal preference, mostly. Working teams share a bond that, potentially, a training bond can interfere with. The simplest solution is for both members of the team to develop a training bond with the Padawan, but resentment on anyone's part can throw a hydrospanner into the entire works," Obi-Wan explained. "I don't think we'll have to worry about that, however."

"Oh," Anakin said, mulling it over. "But... you could both be my Masters?"

Obi-Wan gave Qui-Gon a questioning look. "Technically..."

This was something that neither of them had really considered. But Qui-Gon liked Anakin, and the Force was nudging him, telling him that this would be something right and true. "I am not opposed," he said, and immediately had his arms full of new Padawan. He smiled and returned Anakin's enthusiastic hug. Obi-Wan was looking at them both with a mix of approval and ...hope? Qui-Gon almost frowned, wondering at the emotion in his partner's eyes.

When the door chime sounded, Qui-Gon went to answer it, leaving Anakin and Obi-Wan to begin clearing the table. One of the Temple's many service droids stood there, bearing his clean laundry in a crate. With a muted groan he noticed that, once again, Obi-Wan's laundry had been included with his own. "We've been over this. Knight Kenobi's rooms are that way," he said, pointing down the hall and glaring at the droid.

"Master Cal-Sin Diones programmed me himself, Master Jinn. Rest assured that Knight Kenobi does indeed live here."

Qui-Gon cursed under his breath. No sense wasting good vocabulary on a droid that might scuttle off in an insulted huff, taking his clothes with it. He merely resolved to have a talk with Master Diones about the matter. Again. "Fine. Thank you," he forced himself to say politely, accepting the crate of laundry and closing the door.

Obi-Wan looked up from stacking plates. "Mine too, huh?"

"Uh huh." Qui-Gon headed for his room. "I'll leave yours in the crate. And it looks as though the clothing we sent down this afternoon is in here, as well."

"Clean?"

"Looks to be." Qui-Gon inhaled deeply. "Smells to be."

"Force-blessed miracle," Obi-Wan grinned, disappearing into the kitchen.

Qui-Gon made short work of putting the laundry away, then pulled his robe from the bottom of the crate. Clean, wonderfully clean. No mud, no blood, no mystery stains.

Anakin and Obi-Wan's voices could be heard coming from the kitchen, so he headed in that direction. The least he could do was help wash his own dishes. "So are you going to tell him or what?" Anakin was saying. Qui-Gon paused outside of the doorway, out of sight from the others.

"It's not that simple, Ani," Obi-Wan said over the clatter of dishes.

"Sure it is," Anakin replied. "Master Qui-Gon's not going to bite you." So they were talking about him. He was eavesdropping shamelessly, he knew, but he didn't seem to be able to step away, or announce his presence. Qui-Gon decided to meditate on this character flaw.

Later.

"I know," Obi-Wan said.

"Well, then again..." Anakin continued in a wheedling, conspiratorial tone. "He might."

"ANI!" Qui-Gon was well able to imagine the expression on Obi-Wan's face. He imagined it matched his own, and closed his gaping mouth.

Anakin giggled, unrepentant. "Padawans are supposed to always be honest with their masters."

"Not that honest," Obi-Wan repeated Qui-Gon's earlier statement with a growl.

"Look, it's been how many years?" There was a sound Qui-Gon identified as Anakin hopping up to sit on the counter. "I know I don't remember everything, but I know how you feel. Blind Gundarks know how you feel. Are you going to wait until you're fifty -again- before you tell him you love him?"

Qui-Gon's heart soared upwards and settled somewhere near the vicinity of his throat. Obi-Wan loved him? How could that be possible? They were a pair-bonded team that had been together for four years. How could I have completely overlooked such a strong emotion? Stunned, Qui-Gon took a deep breath, not sure what to think. Would Obi-Wan confirm Anakin's thoughts or deny them? Qui-Gon swallowed dryly, and literally did not breathe as he waited for Obi-Wan to speak.

There was a tired sigh. "It's really not that simple," Obi-Wan said again, so softly that Qui-Gon almost didn't hear him.

"Sure it is," Anakin retorted crossly. "Maybe it's because I'm a kid again, and everything's a lot simpler when you're so close to the ground. But it's not as complicated as you think it is." Qui-Gon listened as someone scrubbed a baking pan --used only to re-heat the food Anakin had snatched from the commissary-- with a great deal more enthusiasm than was really necessary. But Anakin wasn't finished. "Did you know half the Temple is placing bets on when you're going to get up the nerve to say something to him?"

The pan hit the floor. "WHAT?!"

Qui-Gon wondered if his jaw hitting the floor made as much noise. Apparently he was the most oblivious Jedi Master in the Order.

Anakin sounded smug. "Uh huh. And the other half is placing bets on when Master Qui-Gon is gonna wake up and notice that you're not sixteen anymore."

"I thought I was a bit better at hiding my emotions than that," Obi-Wan whispered. Suddenly there was a great deal of barely restrained tension radiating from the kitchen. Qui-Gon bit his lip in response, dimly aware that there was nothing of the sort coming through their bond.

"Well, yeah, you are. There's usually not even a hint of what you feel through the Force. Though you're broadcasting right now."

There was an audible snort, and the aura of tension vanished as if it had never been.

"You shield so well sometimes, it's like you're not even there." Anakin's voice had gone from teasing to soothing in the space of a breath. "It's just... well... Jedi are observant, Master." To Qui-Gon's knowledge it was the first time Anakin had called Obi-Wan that, but there was no hesitation at all when he used the title. The boy simply slipped into its usage with familiarity and warmth. "You don't give anything away, but you stare at him an awful lot when he's not looking. You've just forgotten to make sure no one else is looking, either."

Excellent shields and one oblivious Jedi Master, Qui-Gon thought to himself.

This time when he spoke, Obi-Wan's voice was tremulous. "Do you think he knows?"

"Second round of betting, remember? Oblivious." Anakin didn't seem concerned.

This time there was humor in Obi-Wan's voice when he spoke. "Does that have anything to do with why Master Diones keeps 'forgetting' that I don't live here anymore?" Anakin's delighted giggle was the only response.

Deciding that he'd hid in the doorway enough, Qui-Gon stepped into the kitchen, carefully packing away all knowledge of their conversation into a far corner of his mind.

Anakin was indeed perched on the counter next to the sink, and he grinned cheerfully when he saw Qui-Gon. "You're just in time for the easy part."

Apparently neither had noticed him skulking about. "The easy part, huh? Pulling the plug?"

"Close," Obi-Wan said, smiling and throwing the dishtowel at Qui-Gon. There was no trace of the emotions Qui-Gon had witnessed on his face, or in his eyes. The younger man seemed as open and happy as he usually was. "I washed, you get to dry, and the new Padawan will levitate them into place."

Anakin made a face. "Do I have to?"

"Yes, does he have to?" Qui-Gon placed protective hands over the wet dishes. "I rather like this set."

"Yes. And yes." Obi-Wan looked at both of them sternly. "Besides, if he drops them, there are two Jed n the room capable of catching plates."

"I'm not gonna drop them," Anakin muttered.

"Prove it." Obi-Wan crossed his arms challengingly.

"Just don't drop the pan again. I don't think it'll survive a second fall," Qui-Gon said, relenting. Anakin giggled, Obi-Wan rolled his eyes, and Qui-Gon smiled and toweled off the first dish, watching as it left his hands and floated its way steadily up and into the proper cabinet.

"Sorry about the pan. It made such a racket I'm surprised you didn't dart right into the kitchen to find out what we were destroying," Obi-Wan said, watching Anakin maneuver dining ware.

"It looks to be intact," he replied, drying that very item and watching as it floated gently into the air. After a moment Qui-Gon relaxed. He knew he hadn't spent a lot of time observing Anakin Force training, but his levitation skills, at least, were very adept.

Qui-Gon was drying the last dish, and another was floating serenely into place, when the kitchen was abruptly assaulted by a bloodcurdling, bone-jarring scream. Anakin yelped in surprise, the floating dish fell to the floor, and Qui-Gon was so startled that he snapped the dish he was holding neatly in half.

An invisible hand caught the other dish before it could shatter into pieces on the floor, and Anakin and Qui-Gon both turned to glare at Obi-Wan. The young man leaned back against the counter, arms still crossed, grinning smugly.

Qui-Gon found his voice. "What in the Sith hells was that?"

"Krayt dragon," Obi-Wan replied, eyes dancing in amusement. "Native to Tatooine. Very big, very frightening. Very loud. Works well to deter Tusken Raiders, Jawas, nosy neighbors."

Anakin sighed in disgust. "I'd forgotten all about that. I hate it when you do that."

Qui-Gon began to chuckle. "I can't believe I fell for that."

Obi-Wan raised one eyebrow. "Nor can I." He held out the plate he'd caught, looking at Anakin expectantly. After a moment Anakin grinned sheepishly and motioned with his finger. The plate responded and floated away to join the others. "Very good," Obi-Wan said at last, "distractions aside."

"I'm going to have a very interesting apprenticeship this time around, aren't I." He wasn't asking, but the smile on his face was cheerful and accepting, if a bit resigned. At Obi-Wan's nod, Anakin shrugged. "Oh, well. Better than the alternative. Now, if you Masters will excuse me, the new Padawan still has homework to do and a snake to feed."

Anakin jumped down from the counter, tugging his tunic back into place. "What have you dubbed the hitchhiker?" Obi-Wan wanted to know.

"Jawa."

Apparently Obi-Wan didn't find this very appropriate. "Jawa?" he repeated in disbelief.

"Sure," Anakin replied, grinning at his Master. "He looks like a Jawa."

"Right," Obi-Wan said, apparently deciding acquiescence was the better part of valor. "Jawa it is. Though if you're that homesick, I'm sure we can arrange a visit to Tatooine..."

"No thanks," Anakin said, shuddering dramatically. "Good night, Masters," he said, bowing slightly to them both. Qui-Gon inclined his head in return, though Obi-Wan reached out and tousled Anakin's perpetually messy hair. The boy grinned and left the kitchen; a moment later Qui-Gon heard the door to his quarters open and close as Anakin made his way back to the Initiates Wing.

"Here," Obi-Wan said, gently taking the two halves of plate that Qui-Gon belatedly realized he was still holding. "Since I'm responsible for this, I may as well fix it."

"That's not necessary, really," Qui-Gon protested half-heartedly. "I'm the one who broke it."

"And I'm the one who screamed like a banshee. Besides, I could use the dexterity practice," Obi-Wan replied, laying the two halves down on the counter. Already Qui-Gon could feel the Force gathering around him, sense tiny movements in the molecular structure of the ceramic as Obi-Wan began to repair the break. He watched quietly, feeling the familiar awe and not-too-little pride as Obi-Wan worked. The young man had a control of the Force that even the ancient Masters envied.

Qui-Gon picked up the plate when Obi-Wan was done, turning it over in his hands. "Nice work," he commented, tracing his finger down the center of the plate. Not even a line remained in evidence of the break. He put the plate to rest in the cabinet with the others as he and Obi-Wan finished cleaning up the kitchen in companionable silence. He wanted to speak of what he had overheard, but something was stopping him. He wasn't sure if it was the Force or his own doubts whispering in the back of his mind. He opened his mouth to say something harmless, to break the silence, but Obi-Wan beat him to it. "I met up with Master Vanalli before dinner, and managed to let her wheedle me into taking one of the morning meditation watches for the Initiates," he said, gracefully covering a yawn. Qui-Gon watched, and wondered at how Obi-Wan could manage even the simplest movements with such fluid elegance. "I should probably get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be busy enough without waking at dawn."

"Hmm. Yes, it's not every day you take on your first Padawan," Qui-Gon said, unconsciously reaching out to tuck a strand of Obi-Wan's long hair back behind his ear. Obi-Wan looked up at him, surprise touching his smile, and Qui-Gon's heart lurched in his chest. He swallowed, unaccountably nervous. "Would you like some company when you take Anakin before the Council?"

Obi-Wan grinned. "You had better be there, Qui. Otherwise I'll have the Council breathing down my neck for trying to force you into working with Anakin without your consent."

Qui-Gon snorted, though it did indeed sound like something the more conservative minds on the Council would suggest. "I'll be there. Shall we meet for breakfast in the commissary, ninth hour?"

Obi-Wan shuddered delicately. "I'll meet you there, but I believe I'll pass on the meal. There are perfectly good ration bars in my quarters."

He smiled. It was a long standing joke between them, even though they had both eaten far worse things than commissary food out in the field. "A wise decision." He caught himself as he moved to reach out to the young man again, and forced himself not to. "Good night then, Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan looked puzzled, but merely nodded. "Good night, Qui. Sleep well."

Yoda didn't seem very surprised to find Qui-Gon on his doorstep in the middle of the night. The ancient Master merely nodded and allowed Qui-Gon to follow him into his quarters. "Troubled, you are," he muttered, as Qui-Gon blindly sank down to kneel on the floor. "A cushion you should use," Yoda continued, noting that Qui-Gon had neglected to find one.

Qui-Gon obeyed, one hand reaching out to snag a sea-green feathered creation of a pillow that had been a gift given by one of the Initiates several cycles ago. "He loves me," he said, expression still mostly blank.

"Hmph. News to me, this is not." Yoda settled into his chair, an overstuffed monstrosity whose appearance Qui-Gon loathed, but the diminutive Master found very comforting. "Known for years how Obi-Wan feels about you."

"Oh." Qui-Gon finally managed to focus on Yoda, his expression now bewildered. "Years?"

"Mmm. Told you, did he?" Yoda looked at him hopefully.

"No, Master."

Yoda's ears visibly drooped. "Unexpected, that is. Unfortunate as well. Hmmm. So then, Padawan of my Padawan, how come you to discover this love?"

This time Qui-Gon did turn red, too much of his composure blown to even assume a Jedi's mantle of control. "I... uhm... happened to overhear them speaking in the kitchen. Anakin was very persistent."

Yoda narrowed his eyes. "Ill-mannered some consider it, to listen in on the conversations of others! Encouraged this habit of yours, your Master should not have."

Qui-Gon finally pulled himself together enough to offer Yoda a teasing smile. "But my Master swears it was a tactic taught to him by you. There is, after all, no one who knows the goings-on of the Temple more than Master Yoda."

Yoda sighed, but he looked more amused than put-upon. "A clever tongue you have, Master Qui-Gon, one that you have used to the benefit of all many times. Nearly unmatched you are in the field, Master Qui-Gon, for your successes. Owe their lives to you, many do."

Qui-Gon blinked, surprised at the compliments that the ancient Master so rarely gave. "Thank you, Master. Though I don't know how it applies to--"

Yoda cut him off by waving his gimer stick in the air. "Hmph. Think for yourself, but not of yourself, I think, hmm?"

Qui-Gon opened his mouth to speak, then changed his mind and remained silent, frowning. Yoda had a point to make, and it was his duty to shut up and listen.

"Better," Yoda said, looking pleased. "Never too old to learn are we, Master Qui-Gon. Learn things you might, if apply you do, your talents to your partnership. Information you will gather, conclusions you will draw, things you will learn. Perhaps, oh most stubborn of my old crechelings," Yoda said, chuckling, "new things you will even learn about yourself!"

"I... understand," Qui-Gon said, even when he really didn't.

"Lie to me, you never could," Yoda pointed out, rapping Qui-Gon smartly on the leg with his cane. "But understand you will, in due time." He leaned forward, mischievous look in his eye. "No bad thing it would be, to love your old Padawan, hmm?"

Qui-Gon practically leapt to his feet, uncomfortable with such a direct question. "I don't know. I need to go. I... thank you for speaking with me, Master Yoda."

"A pleasure as always, Master Qui-Gon," Yoda replied, watching as his guest rapidly departed. Then he chuckled again. "A bet I want to win!"

The next morning he overslept, cursed, and practically flew through his morning rituals. He wasn't sure why his internal clock had malfunctioned so badly, especially when his sleep had been broken by bits and fragments of disturbing dreams. Still, Qui-Gon was only a few minutes late as he snatched his robe off the wall and left his quarters. Obi-Wan would probably offer him a warm smile, tease him for his tardiness, and then threaten him with the rubbery, greenish creations the commissary droids called fried eggs.

He checked his pace in front of the commissary when a young human, Qui-Gon's height but much broader, stepped up to him. "Master Jinn?"

"Padawan Muln," Qui-Gon greeted him, his smile fading as he noticed the man's look of trepidation. "What is it, Garen?"

"I'm on my way to class, but I thought I should warn you." Garen yanked on his long Padawan braid, a nervous gesture that seemed universal to the young apprentices of the Order. "It's Obi-Wan, Master Jinn. It's... well, you'll see for yourself soon enough. It's probably better that you aren't broadcasting shock when you see him."

Qui-Gon resisted the urge to yank on the Padawan's braid himself, knowing that it was Garen's genuine concern over Obi-Wan that made him reticent. "What's wrong with my partner?" he asked bluntly.

Garen sighed. "The cycle's back."

Qui-Gon closed his eyes, cursing under his breath. The cycle of nightmares Obi-Wan carried from his vision had been harsh the first year after his Knighting. Gradually, the cycles had spaced themselves out further and further apart, and the intensity had varied each time. It had been almost two years since the last cycle, and Obi-Wan had been hopeful that they would not return. It was a hope had Qui-Gon shared, as the Temple Healers had been unable to help Obi-Wan. A block in Obi-Wan's mind was the culprit, and not even the most gifted mind-healers among the Jedi could breach it. They theorized that the block might weaken with age, but that did Obi-Wan little good now. "Thank you, Garen. I appreciate the warning. How bad is it?"

Garen managed a sickly smile. "Bad."

The warning should have been enough to prepare him, but it wasn't. He stopped short as he caught sight of Obi-Wan, his breath momentarily stilling in his chest.

Gone was the bright-eyed young man who had graced his quarters the evening before. Obi-Wan slumped at a table, his eyes dull and unfocused. There were dark rings under his eyes, his mouth set in a harsh line, and even shielded as he was, any Jedi could discern the aura of frustration and muted sadness that surrounded him. The commissary was nearly empty, but the few Jed n evidence kept throwing Obi-Wan concerned glances that the man was oblivious to.

"Obi-Wan?"

The younger man blinked and slowly looked up at him, empty-eyed. "Hello, Qui-Gon."

At least now he knew the source of his own discordant dreams. The pairbond between them was too strong for Qui-Gon to have felt nothing. "Good morning, Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan stared at him for a long moment before glancing away. "I thought they were gone. I should have known better."

Qui-Gon couldn't stand it; he reached across the table and covered Obi-Wan's cold hands with his own. "How bad?"

Obi-Wan shrugged. "Bad enough."

He fell silent, and Qui-Gon drew back his hands, uncertain of what to do. He chafed at his own helplessness; the only thing he knew to offer in this situation was the capacity to listen, but Obi-Wan couldn't discuss dreams that he could not remember.

Anakin, when he arrived a few minutes later, had no such difficulties. He took one look at Obi-Wan and climbed into his new Master's lap, wrapping his small arms around Obi-Wan and laying his head down on his chest. "I'm sorry."

Obi-Wan sighed, draping one arm around Anakin. "I know." He dropped a kiss into Anakin's messy hair. "Don't worry about it, Ani. This too shall pass."

"There you are!"

Qui-Gon, Anakin, and Obi-Wan glanced up to find Master Jill-Hyra standing over them, frowning, her hands planted firmly on her generous hips. The middle-aged Master was in charge of the entire creche, a recent replacement after Master Zulis Faar retired the previous year. She was considered an intimidating woman, even among the Masters. "Initiate Skywalker, I've talked to you too many times about running off like this."

Anakin frowned slightly. "But Master Jill-Hyra, I had already asked for and received permission to meet Master Jinn and Knight Kenobi here from Master Kuunhra!"

"That may be true, but neither of you obtained permission from me. Master Jinn has better things to do than watch after you when you run away from the creche! You're not special, you know!" Jill-Hyra turned to Qui-Gon. "Master Jinn, I'm terribly sorry. I've told him about this."

"That's quite all right, Master Jill-Hyra. Master Kenobi and I don't mind at all. Do we, Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan didn't even so much as blink at his new title, for all that it had yet to be officially confirmed by the Council. "Of course not, Master Jill-Hyra."

Jill-Hyra glanced at Obi-Wan, and Qui-Gon was surprised to see scorn in her eyes before she turned back to him, the picture of calm apology. "Again, I'm sorry, Master Jinn. Anakin, you're to return to the creche immediately. You have lessons to attend to."

"I'm afraid Anakin will only be returning to the creche to collect his things, Master Jill-Hyra," Qui-Gon replied calmly, despite his growing dislike of the woman. Had Anakin been dealing with her obtuseness all this time?

Yes.

The voice was Obi-Wan's, and it was laced with the steel Qui-Gon only heard during the harshest of situations. Has she been causing trouble for you and Anakin?

Attempting to, yes. She's a bit nastier when I'm alone with her. Such a wonderful example of a Jedi. We should all be so meritus.

Indeed. Qui-Gon refocused on Jill-Hyra, only to see her smiling brightly. "Is it true, Master Jinn? You are to take Anakin as your Padawan? That is indeed thrilling!"

"Indeed, it is thrilling to see Anakin become a Padawan Learner," Qui-Gon agreed, smiling at Anakin. "But I will not be his Master."

Jill-Hyra's smile faltered. "No... you cannot mean that Kenob s to become Skywalker's Master!"

"Indeed I do," Qui-Gon replied quietly, well-aware of the attention they were attracting. "He and Anakin will have one of the strongest Master-Padawan bonds the Order has ever seen."

"Ridiculous!" Jill-Hyra scoffed. "No play-Knight will be teaching one of my students! The Council will hear of this, Master Jinn!"

"Actually, the Council already has, Master Jill-Hyra," Mace said, seemingly appearing out of nowhere as he stepped up behind Obi-Wan and Anakin. "Though the official ceremony was to be later this morning, the Council has already decided that Initiate Skywalker is to be Master Kenobi's Padawan."

Jill-Hyra's eyes narrowed coldly. "And if I cry Challenge, Master Windu?"

Anakin abruptly stood up, staring up at Master Jill-Hyra with his jaw set. Obi-Wan had once referred to the stance as the Skywalker Stubbornness. "Master Jill-Hyra, if you cry Challenge, it is I who will fight you for the right to be with my true Master, as the Force wills it. And I will defeat you."

The back of Qui-Gon's neck prickled as stared at Anakin, and what he sensed confronting Jill-Hyra was no child, but a man grown. For a moment he could almost see a tall, striking figure of a man in Anakin's place, willing to fight for what he believed was right.

Then Obi-Wan calmly laid a hand on Anakin's shoulder, and the sensation vanished. "Master Jill-Hyra, there is no need for this. Anakin will be fine."

Jill-Hyra's anger seemed to evaporate. "You're right, Master Kenobi. There is no need for this, and Anakin will be fine. Forgive me, Initiate Skywalker," the woman said, bowing to the boy. "Congratulations on your Choosing. I am sure you will bring great honor to the Order."

Anakin bit his lip but bowed in return. "Thank you, Master Jill-Hyra. You were an excellent teacher, and I am grateful for all I learned in the creche."

Jill-Hyra nodded to the other Masters and turned away. Obi-Wan watched her go, then slumped back in his chair. "Phew. I'm glad she wasn't Creche Master when I was your age, Anakin."

Qui-Gon sighed. "I can't believe you had to resort to Force suggestion. What were we thinking, appointing that woman Creche Master?"

Mace pulled up a chair and sat down, shaking his head. "You'd think a group of fully grown, capable Jedi Masters would know who to put in charge of their children. She may be good at keeping order among the children, but that's about all she's good at. The Council has already been considering reassignment, but that just cinched the decision for me."

"The suggestion calmed her down, but it's not going to last long, Mace," Obi-Wan said, massaging his temples. "She'll be up in arms again in no time. She's been at this for months, but I'm not sure why."

Mace nodded. "At any rate, by the time she remembers, the Council will have already publicly confirmed your new Padawan's status, Obi-Wan. What do they say out in Corellia? 'A day late and a credit short.'' Mace glanced back up at the doorway Jill-Hyra had vanished through. "It may have saved us a full-fledged public outburst, but you could have sent Jill-Hyra packing without the Suggestion. Why did you do that, Obi-Wan?"

"The Force can have a strong influence on the weak-minded, Master Windu," Obi-Wan said, concern etched in his features.

"Something's wrong, I take it," Qui-Gon said, feeling uneasy. The Force whispered to him of the truth of his statement, but little more than that; seeing the future was not his talent. For once he wished his Master had insisted a little more on developing that ability.

"Mace... I have... a suggestion to make." Obi-Wan folded his hands and gave the senior Council member his full attention. "Will you hear it?"

"You have yet to steer anyone wrong, Obi-Wan," Mace replied. "Spill it."

"The Council might want to meet with the Jedi, individually. Knights, Masters, Padawans, support staff, everyone," Obi-Wan said. "Make sure everyone's shielding is optimal, that no one's slipping in that area. And if they are, help them repair it. Make sure... "

"Make sure of what?" Mace was frowning, one of his thunderous expressions that left student and teacher alike quaking.

"That we're safe." Obi-Wan shrugged. "Protect our own. That's about all that we can do right now."

Qui-Gon suppressed a shudder, noticing the fear in Anakin's eyes. We're not ready for this, he thought. Whatever danger they Saw, we're not ready, and we have to be. I don't know if I could handle another Xanatos.

Obi-Wan must have sensed where his thoughts had gone, and was shaking his head sadly. "Xanatos was a child playing with matches, Qui. I'm more worried about a thermal detonator the size of a planet."

"Anakin Skywalker, step forward."

Anakin did so, not quite able to hide the smile on his face as he stood before the Jedi Council once more. He had not been in this room since his acceptance into the creche four years earlier, but he knew them now. For a moment the memory of a much less pleasant encounter with the Council surfaced. He had been much the same age, standing cowed before the Jedi that were pretty sure they wanted nothing to do with him. He quickly pushed that memory away. It wasn't like that anymore. Then there was a comforting hand on his shoulder, and he glanced up to find Obi-Wan smiling down at him. No, it definitely wasn't like that anymore. "Anakin Skywalker, you have resided in our halls for four years. Now one steps forward to claim you as a student, to train you in the way of the Jedi. You know your rights, that you may accept or decline. Choose wisely, and trust in the Force," Mace intoned, though the slight glint of mischief in Master Windu's eyes told Anakin that they both knew what his answer would be.

"I know my rights, and I will willingly accept this one as my Master, if he should Choose to accept me."

Ki Adi Mundi, newest addition to the Council, spoke when Anakin voiced his assent. "Master Kuunhra, you act in Master Jill-Hyra's absence. As acting Creche-Master, do you believe Initiate Skywalker is ready to begin this journey?"

Kuunhra, a male Trandoshan with the appearance of a monster and a heart of stars, nodded fondly. "Indeed," Kuunhra replied. "Initiate Skywalker has mastered all that we in the creche have to teach him. He is ready to move on, though he will be missed."

Anakin blinked away unexpected moisture. It was not as if he would never see his favored teacher again, but he would miss him, nonetheless.

"Hmmm. Very well," Yoda said, nodding his approval.

Obi-Wan rested both hands on Anakin's shoulders in this, the final part of the Ritual of Choosing. Anakin again fought to keep from smiling, feeling his body tingle all over. This was where things would change. This was the point of divergence, when all would be made new. This pairing, they had both Chosen. Everything would be different now. Anakin could feel it, a hope that outshone all of the potential shadows awaiting them.

Obi-Wan's voice was strong and clear, warm as the twin suns Anakin had spent childhood under. "I take Anakin Skywalker as my Padawan Learner."