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Summary: You-know-what didn't happen in TPM. Years later, Obi-Wan returns to Coruscant and unfinished business. It's not all Light at the Jedi Temple.
AU, Mild Angst. (Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan)
Rated PG.
TPM and Jedi Apprentice #2 spoilers... sorta, vaguely.

I love all feedback. Criticism not only welcome, but frequently tied to the couch for a complete interrogation. I'm no Star Wars expert, so if you have any gripes about my tripping over canon (apart from the obvious), I welcome them, too. drsquidlove@virginqueen.com

Star Wars is the property of George Lucas. No profit intended from this story or the accompanying merchandise. Thank you to him for making Liam Neeson slash material, and thank you to Kate for - well - everything.

Obi-Wan Kenobi stepped from the Council's chambers. This had been his first stop on Coruscant in almost three years, and the debriefing had been a long one. This last mission, particularly, had them concerned; the Council had been pessimistic that war could be averted between on K'jeth at all. Obi-Wan's contribution had guided them only to a precarious treaty, but a treaty nonetheless, and it had held for almost a month, now.

He would have liked to remain on the planet, let his presence soothe a little longer, but the Council believed it was time to let the people of K'jeth stand on their own. This debriefing had made it clear that they also believed it was time Obi-Wan rested from his hectic schedule.

No doubt they were correct, but Obi-Wan hardly expected a stay on Coruscant to be any more relaxing than the negotiations he'd just concluded.

He considered finding a quiet corner of the gardens to meditate, but there was little point. He wasn't going to find peace until he dealt with his curiosity and the other rolling emotions. He let amusement spark quietly in the back of his mind. He was going to need to meditate after this, anyway.

It didn't take long to find the correct training room. It was one Qui-Gon had preferred, secluded and set deep in the building so that the only light came from the lamps set into the corners. Obi-Wan had spent many days in this room, Qui-Gon honing his dependence on the Force in the absolute dark.

Obi-Wan reinforced his shields and watched from outside the open door, away from the dim lamplight. Qui-Gon was leading Anakin through the steps of one of the more advanced lightsaber routines, holding each position as he quietly explained how that move served in battle. Obi-Wan had been starting to incorporate these skills into their free-sparring by this age, but considering Anakin's late start, it was an excellent achievement.

Sixteen. Anakin's birthday would have been only weeks ago. He'd grown as only a teenage boy could, and was scant inches shorter than Qui-Gon. His face was thin, like the rest of him, but that determined spark hadn't left him, was still there as he followed his teacher's moves. He was lanky and shaggy-haired, and as close to manhood as he was from being a child.

Qui-Gon had hardly changed at all. In his sixties now, though no one might have guessed; unbowed by age and as graceful as ever. His hair was still long, though he'd tied it away from his face in a pony-tail. That same furrow of concentration marked his brow as he guided his student through those familiar lessons. Obi-Wan could have stepped into Anakin's place and things might have been just the same as his own training days - except, perhaps, for a few more silver hairs in his Master's beard.

Qui-Gon completed the final move and doused his lightsaber. "Now it is your turn, Anakin. Take your time; learn the moves first and then you may seek to perfect them."

"Yes, Master." Anakin took up the starting position and paced steadily through the routine, never hesitating to remember the moves.

As he came to rest, Qui-Gon gave a single nod. "Again. Pick up the pace; find your rhythm."

Anakin began again, gathering the Force to guide him and this time the moves flowed together, the turns and leaps and the blur of the lightsaber combining to a powerful dance. It was impossible not to see Anakin's strength in the Force, though there was an awkwardness about the finer turns and more precariously balanced steps.

The routine finished and he didn't pause before beginning again, faster and smoother, concentrating a little harder on the intricacies of each move. Qui-Gon began to commentate, voicing his approval when necessary and instructing Anakin to concentrate as he approached the more difficult moves. Anakin somersaulted with a twist that would keep him facing his enemy, landing with perfect balance to push his momentum in the opposite direction.

"Well done, my Padawan."

Jealousy stabbed through Obi-Wan's pride in Anakin and was released into the Force, as the boy overstepped and came to a halt. Qui-Gon raised a brow at the stumble, until Anakin turned and looked straight at their silent observer. Qui-Gon followed his gaze, surprise deepening as Obi-Wan stepped over the threshold.

Obi-Wan gathered himself into his cloak, glad for the years of experience in stoic Jedi calm. "Master, Anakin."

"Obi-Wan." A beat, and then Qui-Gon recovered his serene _expression even as he let his happiness flow freely through the Force. He crossed the room to place his hands on Obi-Wan's arms. "It is good to see you."

"You look well, Qui-Gon." He turned his attention to the boy waiting uncomfortably in the ring. "You are progressing, Anakin."

"Thank you." Anakin's gaze darted between the two Jedi as Qui-Gon removed his hands and stepped back. For a moment no one spoke, all waiting cautiously for someone else to ease the distance. Finally Anakin focused on Qui-Gon. "May I be excused, Master? I promised Master Yoda that I would complete the essay on serenity today."

Qui-Gon granted him leave, and the Master and his former apprentice were left alone in the training room. After a moment Obi-Wan stepped away, to look over the ring. "This room brings back a lot of memories."

"I hear you have become a fine knight, Obi-Wan. I understand the Council is quite impressed with this new treaty on K'jeth."

"Success is not guaranteed, but I remain hopeful. They may only have accepted my input to placate the Senate, but in my experience, even war-mongers quickly grow attached to peace."

There was no mistaking the flash of pride in Qui-Gon, though it was quickly soothed. "It has been a long time."

"There is a great deal of tension along the outer reaches of the Republic. All the Jedi have been busy."

"You more than most." His face was neutral, as always, but there was an edge of accusation in Qui-Gon's voice.

Obi-Wan didn't answer. They both knew his schedule had been almost entirely self-imposed.

"Three years ago you were on Coruscant for two days, and yet we never crossed paths."

"I was gathering information for the next-"

"If Anakin had not seen you just now, would we have missed each other again?"

Obi-Wan took a long breath, trying to still the old, quiet fears. Past thirty years old, and he still could feel like a Padawan.

Qui-Gon stepped close again, and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Why are you pushing me away, Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan met his old Master's gaze, jaw set hard. "It was not I who pushed." This was the time for a dramatic exit, but he couldn't bring himself to go. Years of Jedi training demanded that he deal with his emotion, and the regret he felt from Qui-Gon told him it was time.

Before he could gather his thoughts, Qui-Gon reached for his cloak. "I'm glad you are here. I was almost ready to come looking for you."

"Oh?"

He straightened, burying his hands in the folds of the cloak. "I need your assistance."

Obi-Wan felt his brows rise. "Mine? Whatever for?"

Qui-Gon looked uncomfortably around the room. "Walk with me."

Obi-Wan damped down his curiosity and fell into step beside him. They walked the back halls in silence, exchanging only nods with the few other Jedi they passed until they found themselves in one of the less-frequented, more wild gardens. Finally, Obi-Wan cast a sideways look at his companion. "Are you planning to tell me what this is about?"

Qui-Gon checked to be sure there was no one in hearing range before answering quietly. "I'm fearful for Anakin."

All the stoic Jedi training in the world couldn't have prevented Obi-Wan's jaw from dropping, and he stood, staring at his master.

Qui-Gon darted a look at a distant group of initiates. "Keep moving."

Obi-Wan shut his mouth and continued to walk, though his shock didn't disipate. In all his years, he'd never heard his master speak of being afraid, and now he could almost feel it.

After a few minutes, when they had moved deeper into the garden, Qui-Gon darted a look at him. "Anakin has poured his heart into his training. I have seen few Padawans with his dedication, but he was not raised in the Force. For him, Jedi peace is work, not nature."

Obi-Wan nodded. It was precisely why Jedi raised their own from so young. "He is having trouble channelling his emotions."

"It would be difficult enough at that, but he is strong in the Force. He feels the distrust of the other Jedi, of the Council. He will not share his feelings with me, but he is angry, and that anger is building unchecked."

"What does Master Yoda suggest?" When there was no answer, Obi-Wan stepped in front of Qui-Gon. "You haven't told him."

"The Council would willingly abandon Anakin."

"The Council know what's best."

"The *Council* are the problem."

They stared at each other defiantly for a long moment, shoulders rising and falling with their quickened breath.

"Qui-Gon, you are playing dangerous games. You know better than anyone how powerful he is."

"I do know. That power needs to be cared for, Obi-Wan. Can you imagine how Ani will feel if I tell the Council I lack faith in him?"

"Qui-Gon-"

"I *won't* lose another one."

Obi-Wan's irritation died on his lips. The scars Xanatos left were buried so deeply that Obi-Wan had often forgotten they were there. Yet now, his proud Master's head was bowed low, through shame for his failure or his outburst, Obi-Wan couldn't tell. He touched the Force and stilled the reluctance from his voice. "What do you want me to do?"

The tension slid from the older Jedi, and his lip curled up, a high reward by Obi-Wan's standards. "Anakin needs a friend."

"You think he would see me as a friend?"

"He looked up to you in those months we spent together. He asks after you often."

Obi-Wan was surprised. "Perhaps he was humouring you. He didn't seem particularly happy to see me today."

"You left." Qui-Gon started walking again, slowly, so Obi-Wan would follow. "You filled the gap between us; he could look up to you, but you were learning still, fallible like him. When you left, he felt abandoned."

"I left because I passed my trials. That is what a Jedi Knight does."

"Not without saying goodbye." Qui-Gon's voice was soft, carrying the hurt past his shields. "Generally not never to be seen again."

Obi-Wan remained silent. How could he put all his feelings from that time into words?

Qui-Gon caught his arm, slowing him. "Seven years, Obi-Wan. Not a meeting, not a message. Was I such a terrible master?"

"No."

Qui-Gon let go, and waited.

Obi-Wan raised his eyes. "Only when Anakin came along."

"You were old enough to understand-"

"Young enough to deserve understanding. Young enough to measure myself by the worth my Master showed me." He smiled, softly, to ease his words. "It is difficult, being replaced by the Chosen One."

"You are special to me, Obi-Wan Kenobi."

It was nothing Obi-Wan did not know already, but the words warmed a long-untended flame in him. "I suppose every Padawan has the same feelings when they graduate. Everyone must believe that their own Master-Apprentice bond is stronger than those of the other Jedi."

"That does not lessen the bond."

"But most are not rushed through their final months of training by a master eager to move on with another student. When Anakin came along we squeezed into six months what should have been the work of a year or more."

"You must know I would not have pushed you if I had not had faith in you. You were ready."

"No." Obi-Wan resisted the temptation of anger. "I wasn't."

Qui-Gon raised his hands. "No Padawan ever feels ready for their trials."

Obi-Wan shook his head, and then turned towards the building. "I'll talk to him in the morning." He did not look back.

Obi-Wan found Anakin back in the same training room the next morning, alone, running through the simpler moves of his new exercise. He stepped inside the door, not bothering to shield his presence, and watched.

Each move was performed seperately, broken down into its simplest parts, twists begun from different positions, angles of lightsaber strokes varied as Anakin searched for his own comfort-zone. He honed each move to a satisfactory beginner's standard until he reached the crouched reverse-pivot. He tried over and over, wobbling every time. Eventually he doused his lightsaber in frustration and turned to Obi-Wan. "Good morning."

Obi-Wan nodded his greeting. "You channel energy well. Your leaps are strong."

"Thank you."

"Do you usually have trouble with your pivots?"

Anakin shrugged, wiping the sweat from his face with the back of his hand. "I always find them hard. Master Qui-Gon says I need to use the Force for balance, but it won't work right."

"Then fall."

"Sir?"

Obi-Wan had never had trouble with pivots; they'd always seemed to come so naturally, but he did know how to learn. "After a few falls, your body will find its own place in the Force. You cannot know your farthest reaches until you stumble."

Anakin's brow creased as he turned the possibility over, and then smiled. "I'll try that. Thank you."

"Where is Master Qui-Gon?"

Anakin dipped his head, might have sighed without the Jedi training. "He's at his weekly meeting with the Council."

"Weekly?"

He shrugged again, and gave Obi-Wan a wry smile. "They're checking up on me. Making sure I haven't gone over to the Dark Side, yet."

"You haven't, I hope?"

Anakin's smile widened. "Not that I recall."

"That's good to know. Care for a sparring partner?"

A fully-fledged grin, and Anakin gestured the way to the ring. Amazing, that Obi-Wan hadn't noticed how solemn the young man was until he smiled. He dropped his cloak on the provided hook and headed into position.

They began slowly, Obi-Wan testing Anakin's abilities while Anakin adapted to the strangeness of a new partner. It wasn't difficult to tell that he was unused to sparring with anyone other than Qui-Gon. The absence of bond made him hesitant to start with, though he soon adapted. Obi-Wan used a few of Anakin's new skills, to demonstrate how they might be used in battle, and threw in some of his own moves to widen the boy's experience. Anakin learned quickly, and the battle soon escalated until Obi-Wan was putting in a proper effort to maintain the balance.

He felt Qui-Gon enter and tuned him out without thought. Anakin's hesitation might have gone unnoticed if Obi-Wan hadn't been looking for it, that break in rhythm as the young mind focused on focusing out the distraction. Obi-Wan let the moment slide, merely raising an eyebrow as he continued the battle to let Anakin know the opening had been there. Anakin tightened his concentration, swinging from defence to attack, driven by the slip and the audience.

As the minutes passed, Obi-Wan found he was actually working up a sweat defending against his partner's youthful energy. The intricacies may have been difficult for him, but Anakin could channel the Force for strength far better than anyone Obi-Wan had fought.

Eventually, by unspoken agreement, they came to rest and doused their lightsabers.

Qui-Gon approached, sedately. "Excellent work, my students. Anakin, your pivots still need work. You must use the Force to guide your balance." Obi-Wan nodded his agreement, but Qui-Gon turned to him without pause. "Obi-Wan, you still clench your lightsaber as though you fear it will leave you."

Obi-Wan felt his mouth open. It had been a long time since anyone corrected him. "I do not clench. After all those sessions spent wielding my lightsaber between only two fingers, I became very careful of that."

Anakin shook his head, clearly pleased he wasn't the only one with more to learn. "You clenched."

Obi-Wan sent his best glare. "I was rather hoping that we could ally against Qui-Gon, rather than the pair of you ganging up on me."

Qui-Gon's face was blank, though Obi-Wan could feel his satisfaction at the new dynamic. "Your arms must tire in long battles, Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan pressed his mouth shut.

"A Jedi never stops learning, Obi-Wan."

Anakin crossed to the edge of the ring. "Master, would you and Obi-Wan please perform the J'Lusq?" He shot a look at Obi-Wan. "If that's alright with you. I started learning it last month, and I would like to see it practiced by experienced Jedi."

The request was no doubt a deliberate manouvre on Anakin's part. The J'Lusq was one of Obi-Wan's favourite exercises, one he had excelled in during his Padawan days. The lightsaber was wielded in only one hand, and the style required a degree of finesse that few achieved before they were full Jedi. It would be interesting to see how the intervening years had honed and altered his skills.

Obi-Wan opened his arms in offer as he looked at Qui-Gon, letting his peace travel their bond. Yesterday's tensions were banked; they had far more urgent issues for today.

Qui-Gon dipped his head in agreement and shrugged off his cloak to hang beside the others. His hair was tied half-back today as he used to wear it, the loose hair flowing over his shoulders. A smile hinted at his face as he retrieved his lightsaber from his belt.

They took up their positions in the ring, and paused as the Force flowed through their lightsabers. They held their places, and then Qui-Gon tipped his head. "You are clenching."

Obi-Wan sighed dramatically and made a show of loosening his grip. He raised an eyebrow, and Qui-Gon relaxed back into the starting position.

"When you are ready."

He'd barely finished the sentence when Obi-Wan struck, only making a couple of passes to leave Qui-Gon on his back foot, his weakest stance. Obi-Wan knew his Master's style as well as his own. Qui-Gon would swing, dip, strike from low; Obi-Wan could almost read the coming moves in the older Jedi's face. He let himself fall into the Force, letting it carry him while all his external senses focused on Qui-Gon's eyes. Spin, brace, thrust, twist, swing a little too low and Obi-Wan had his Master backing up in defence.

He gentled his attack a moment. "Your elbow is dropping, Qui-Gon."

Qui-Gon looked as though he might protest, so Obi-Wan tipped his chin at their audience. "Anakin?"

"It is true, Master."

Qui-Gon lifted his stance and attacked.

Obi-Wan lost a step and then held his ground, throwing himself into the fight, almost glowing with the raw power of the Force flowing between them, observing from some peaceful place in the back of his mind that this was the first time he had truly felt Qui-Gon using all his strength in opposition. There was no playing to a student's weaknesses, no hedging for newly-developed skills, just determination and the Force singing around them. The teaching bond had changed, but not weakened; he could feel Qui-Gon's exertion and his approval. Leap, defend, strike. He hadn't enjoyed a battle this much in years, since his Padawan days - perhaps not even then, for he was sure he'd never felt the Force flow so freely then and he'd certainly never met Qui-Gon as an equal. Block left, right, twist down and a quick step to the left. He felt a smile of pure joy sliding onto his face.

Qui-Gon swung too high and Obi-Wan flicked his wrist, sending Qui-Gon's muted lightsaber skittering across the floor. Obi-Wan stepped back immediately, emptying his lungs of air and letting the adrenalin go with it. Calm reasserted.

Qui-Gon bowed his approval, but there was something else in his eyes. Obi-Wan examined the Force around him, unwilling to touch his mind, but there was nothing. Qui-Gon looked at him sharply, sensing the probe, and Obi-Wan withdrew.

Anakin approached, oblivious to the exchange, scooping up his mentor's lightsaber as Qui-Gon headed to fetch his cloak. He shrugged it on, not even turning to face Obi-Wan as he said, "Perhaps that is enough for this morning. The noon meal will be ready."

Obi-Wan accompanied them for the meal, watching Qui-Gon withdraw further as they small-talked about the half-year they'd spent together after Naboo until Obi-Wan's trials, interrupting only to direct the conversation to Obi-Wan's recent missions.

Togorians and pompous dignitaries were far safer topics than the pressured rush through Obi-Wan's final months of training.

Anakin was not oblivious to the tension, but he seemed to think it was in everyone's best interest to pretend he was. He wiped the last of the sauce from his plate, and shot a sideways look at Qui-Gon. "I don't suppose you would allow me to skip my study session today, since it's a special-"

"No, Padawan." Qui-Gon's tone was mild, and Anakin seemed unsurprised.

"It was worth a try. Will I see you later, Obi-Wan?"

"You certainly will, Ani."

Anakin grinned and gathered their plates to return to the kitchen on his way out.

Obi-Wan watched his exit over his shoulder, before turning to Qui-Gon, mindful of the other Jedi who sat just outside hearing range. "This place is wearing on him."

"The Council will not approve him to go on missions. He has not left Coruscant since he arrived."

Obi-Wan frowned. "How is he supposed to learn to harness his skills without field experience?"

Qui-Gon raised his hands. It was a question he'd asked too often himself.

Obi-Wan released a little frustration, wishing he could meditate this out of his system. "He knows what they think, and he cares more than he lets on."

"He told me once, years ago, that he doesn't want to be the Chosen One," Qui-Gon replied. "He just wants to prove to the rest of the Jedi that he isn't bad."

"Do you still believe?"

"Believe what?"

"That he is the Chosen One."

Qui-Gon took a long time answering. "More than ever."

Anakin was leaning on the edge of a balcony, looking over the main gardens, while his book lay shut on the ground. "I couldn't concentrate." He looked over his shoulder at Obi-Wan, who let the subject slide and stepped up beside him. Qui-Gon and Mace Windu were strolling between the shrubs far below, deep in conversation. "He's worried about me."

"Master Windu?"

Anakin shot him a contemptuous look. "Both of them."

Obi-Wan took a long breath. The last thing Anakin needed was to find out that his Master doubted him. "Qui-Gon is frustrated that the Council worry."

Anakin faced him. "You met Xanatos, didn't you?"

Another long breath. "Yes, I did."

"I've heard the other Jedi talking about him. And me." He turned his attention back to the figures below. "It's no wonder he worries about me, but I won't let him down."

For a while they just observed, until Anakin sighed. "It's not very Jedi to feel pride, is it?"

"I pity the Jedi who never feels it. It is not out nature to stop feeling. We can only learn to give those feelings over to the Force."

"It seems such a waste, sometimes. I always thought feelings were something to savour."

A pang of desire brushed by Obi-Wan. Anakin's desire.

Qui-Gon's imposing figure, with a presence that almost seemed superhuman. The distant features were suddenly sharp, the eyes warm and every bristle of his beard familiar. Arms that had folded him - folded Anakin - on the hardest days, when he missed his mother and the Jedi left him most alone. Soft lips upon which a single smile could make a day worthwhile, and Anakin knew just how the warmth would fill him if Qui-Gon were ever to kiss his mouth and call him lover.

Obi-Wan blinked in surprise and quickly closed himself off from the flow of Anakin's thoughts as Anakin stared back at him, horrified, his own shields slamming into place.

Obi-Wan ordered his thoughts, and eased his shields again. There was no reason to be shocked: he had been almost this same age when his own adolescent fantasies had begun to focus on the man below them. He'd spent months looking and trying not to look at Qui-Gon as they showered or dressed, closing himself off for fear of being known and receiving some condescending lecture on his rampaging hormones.

He let Anakin feel his understanding, and the young man flushed again, though this time with an awkward smile. "He is the most handsome of all the Jedi, and the most wise."

"He is." The childish fantasies had moved on to other subjects, but in his final years as Padawan, he'd found them again. Different this time, less possessing but ever-present. Instead of fearing those rare nights spent wrapped together for warmth, he savoured them. His fantasies remained his own, but he no longer felt the need to hide his affection, and in this way he'd come to understand how Qui-Gon loved him back. That Qui-Gon did love him back. Even unacknowledged, it was an understanding Obi-Wan had treasured far more than the fulfillment of old desire.

"You understand he won't-"

"Oh, I know." Anakin's voice was a little wistful, but unsurprised.

"You are coping more easily than I did."

Anakin shot him a strange look. "You can never properly love someone who will not love you back, and Qui-Gon's soul is elsewhere. It always has been."

Him. Qui-Gon still loved him, after all these years. He might have moved on - should have - but Anakin's meaning was clear.

Perhaps Qui-Gon's error in the J'Lusq and his subsequent withdrawal were not such a mystery.

Obi-Wan had wished, from temporary beds on too many worlds, that Qui-Gon would let him go and find happiness, though each time he wished it he had to unwind the tendrils of jealousy from his own heart. Yet Qui-Gon waited.

Obi-Wan stilled his hopes, and released them. Hopes carried fears on their backs. He was not the same adoring student, and there was no reason why Qui-Gon would see this Obi-Wan as he saw that long-gone Padawan.

"Obi-Wan?"

He turned to his companion.

"Will you..." Anakin blushed. "Will you help me with my meditations? I know I should ask Qui-Gon, but..."

"But you and every other Padawan who has been through this Temple would sooner go to the Dark Side than confide about their crush on the Master in question." Obi-Wan knew that feeling well. Qui-Gon had told him - long after his own crush had faded - that Masters could always tell when the hormones took over because the Padawan very quickly learned to perfect their shielding. The expected condescending lecture never came because those adolescent crushes were widely considered a rather useful stage of training. "I'm honoured you felt you could ask me."

Anakin reached up to touch his braid, curling it around his finger. "Can I? Do you still think I'm dangerous?"

Obi-Wan wondered how he'd known, but only for a moment. He'd hardly made it a secret in those early days, and had never understood how the boy had come to trust him in the first place. The years though, had given him a new perspective. "I think that without Qui-Gon's guidance, if you didn't know you were cared for, you could be. If we lose you, it will be our fault, because there was no darkness in the young boy we found on Tatooine."

"I used to wonder if maybe there was something evil inside me." His lip twisted in a bitter half-smile. "Bad Anakin, just waiting for the chance to take over."

"No more than the rest of us. We all have the potential, but you must remember: the Dark Side is a choice."

"I know that now. Qui-Gon is an excellent teacher."

They both stared affectionately down on him, as he trailed Windu out of the garden. It didn't take much to see that Qui-Gon was less than happy, but for the two men on the balcony the dark ripples in his Force were far more worrying. They shared a concerned look.

Scant minutes later, a junior Padawan appeared beside them. "Jedi Kenobi?"

"Yes, Padawan?"

"The Council wishes to speak with you."

"Now?"

"They are convening as we speak. They will be ready to see you in a few minutes."

"Thank you."

As the boy walked away, Obi-Wan put his hand on Anakin's shoulder. "Everything will be fine." He waited for Anakin to nod and made to leave, paused in the door. "Just for the record - you're still on our side?"

"Still in the Light."

Obi-Wan hurried off. There wasn't much time.

Qui-Gon was standing outside the Council doors, his head hanging, clearly trying to meditate away the worst of some severe agitation. It didn't seem to be working. As Obi-Wan approached, he lifted his head, frowning at the delay, but before either of them could ask or answer questions, the doors opened and they were beckoned inside.

An adult and a respected Jedi Knight, now, yet Obi-Wan still felt like a child in these sombre chambers. The slanting rays that fell through the windows made it always seem like dusk, and though the room was bare there was no echo, their footsteps dying on the cold, yellow floor. They bowed to Yoda and Windu, who dipped their heads in acknowledgement.

Windu spoke. "Master Jinn. I have explained to you why this meeting was convened."

"And I wish for the Council to recognise my objections." Qui-Gon's voice was harsh. "This is a mistake."

"We will be the judges of that."

"Such a move has no precedent-"

"Noted, your objection is." Yoda stared hard at his former apprentice, and Qui-Gon's mouth tightened at the admonishment.

Obi-Wan's curiosity rose.

Windu turned to him. "Jedi Kenobi, we wish to know if you feel ready to take on an apprentice."

An apprentice? They couldn't possibly, but a look at Qui-Gon's face silenced his doubt. "If it were necessary, I could take over Anakin's training, but to remove him from Qui-Gon would be a grave mistake."

Windu let the insolence pass. "A Master without confidence is of no use to his student."

Qui-Gon near hissed in frustration. "Anakin trusts me."

"Qui-Gon is not the problem," Obi-Wan added. "There are no grounds for this."

"Fearful, the boy is."

"So are you!"

Shock rippled around the chambers. No one raised their voice within these walls. No one raised their voice to Yoda.

But Obi-Wan lifted his chin and glared around the room. "You all fear his power, and right now it is your fear that guides him."

Windu's face was stone. "The Council is in touch with its fears, Obi-Wan."

Qui-Gon stepped forward. "This Council has made itself an enemy to Anakin from the start. If you break our bond, the damage will be irreperable. You may as well cast him out of the Jedi."

Not a flicker from the Council.

Obi-Wan folded his hands in front of him, drawing a more respectful tone with difficulty. "Delay this decision, at least. Allow me the chance to show that I will serve far better as Anakin's friend."

Windu regarded him, sceptical. "What makes you believe that will make a difference?"

Qui-Gon answered. "He has not had a single friend since he came to Coruscant. Surely it is worth a try."

Obi-Wan turned back to Windu. "We only ask an extension."

"How long?"

Obi-Wan cast a look sideways at Qui-Gon. "I have recieved an invitation. Queen Amidala of Naboo has requested that we attend a formal banquet in celebration of the anniversary of the signing of the Symbiosis Treaty with the Gungans."

Qui-Gon's brow rose. "We?"

Obi-Wan shared his attention between Windu and Yoda. "Qui-Gon, Anakin and myself. Preparations are already underway and we are expected, though I did tell the Queen that we would require your leave."

"This is convenient timing," Windu replied.

"I recieved the invitation only moments ago. The main banquet is to be held a week from today, but the Queen seemed eager that we arrive as soon as possible."

Qui-Gon cleared his throat. "Time spent with friends is exactly what Anakin needs. The trip would be beneficial."

Windu and Yoda exchanged a long look, and Windu turned back to address them. "You have two weeks. When you return, we will reconsider our decision."

Two weeks... Obi-Wan restrained his desire to look at Qui-Gon to see how he took the news. The man's shields were high, but Obi-Wan might have read his face.

They bowed and made to leave. They'd almost reached the door when Yoda spoke.

"Obi-Wan."

They both stopped and looked back.

Yoda's eyes were narrow, his ears low. "Master Jinn's Padawan, you are."

Obi-Wan bowed graciously. "Thank you, Master Yoda." He caught the spark of amusement in Qui-Gon as the older Jedi turned to lead the way out.

The door slid closed behind and Qui-Gon faced him, a small smile playing at his lips. "Naboo. That is a stroke of luck."

"Indeed it is, Master. Queen Amidala sends her regards."

Qui-Gon shook his head slightly, staring strangely at Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan shifted under the gaze. "Is something wrong?"

Qui-Gon shook his head again. "I hardly know you anymore."

"It has been seven years."

That smile again, his eyes tender and then a hand was on Obi-Wan's neck and Qui-Gon was leaning close. Beard scratched on his chin and then a hot mouth closed over his own, bristles tickling his nose, wet lips, a flick of a tongue, already reluctantly pulling away.

Qui-Gon's hand slipped forward to brush a thumb over his open mouth. "Don't look so surprised, Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan pressed the hand to his face a moment longer, savouring the taste that lingered on his tongue. "I've imagined that many times, but never outside the Council's chambers." The warmth Obi-Wan had once known in Qui-Gon was flowing freely to him, worn in the blue of his eyes. "I'm not the same person-"

"I thank the Force for guiding you away from me, or I might never have known this man." A quiet smile. "The Padawan I knew was someone I could be proud of, but before me is a man I can respect and admire, one I must learn to know all over again."

"The Force guides us always," Obi-Wan replied quietly.

"So it would seem."

Could those hurts be exorcised so easily? Obi-Wan's anger was weary, long-untended and weakened further by Qui-Gon's loving patience, but it had accompanied him so long, now.

Some things should be forgotten, even if there was never a time to forgive them. He drew on the Force and felt the emotions slip away as he stretched up to return the kiss. Softly he pulled at lips and inhaled sweet moist breath, feeling the peace of Qui-Gon's mind against his own. Obi-Wan let go of the sensations, white light glazed away the details and he was touching serenity.

Peace held them, a certainty of... everything. Everything was as it should be, to its purpose; even a path through the Dark would lead to Light.

Qui-Gon's face came back into focus, inches away and looking as shaken as Obi-Wan felt. Qui-Gon's mouth opened and closed, and opened again, and finally he drew back, leaving just enough space for propriety. "We have two weeks to repair the last seven years."

Obi-Wan gestured the way back to their living quarters and forced his voice to a normal level. "Tell him to start packing, Qui-Gon. Anakin is going to be a Jedi."

For a good time, e-mail drsquidlove@virginqueen.com.

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