Disclaimer: The following story is a work of fanfiction. The author is not making money off of it. Star Wars, all of its characters, etc, belong to George Lucas.

Italics are thoughts
/ is bond talking
( ) is something unexplainable for now, these statements will make sense later on in the story

If Only

Chapter One

"We're almost there, Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon said. It was a simple expression, devoid of happiness, devoid of any emotion at all. It was an empty statement, it didn't mean anything. There was nothing in the monotone voice, there was no 'hi Obi-Wan, it's nice to see you.' It was a simple almost there. It was just another mission, just another problem to fix. They always seemed to fix every problem, but their own. Qui-Gon denied the fact that there was something wrong, said he trusted Obi-Wan, but Obi-Wan knew he was lying. Everything is not okay. But Obi-Wan simply put a smile on his face and kept his walls up to keep Qui-Gon out.

"I'm almost ready, Master." Obi-Wan replied dejectedly. He could already sense that this mission was not going to turn out well. He didn't need the Force to give him that conclusion, though. As slowly as humanly possible Obi-Wan grabbed his luggage and walked out the door. Qui-Gon was waiting for him. He had that look on his face again, the look that Obi-Wan dreaded. It spoke volumes of what Qui-Gon really thought of him. It told Obi-Wan that he was not good enough and the young apprentice could not deny that simple fact.

Qui-Gon stared at his Padawan as they slowly made their way out of the ship. The boy was staring at his feet, miserably. He should say something, but what should he say to the apprentice that he barely knew. He didn't even know what was wrong with his own Padawan. He tired to reach out to the Force and into Obi-Wan's mind, to try and sense something, anything at all would be preferable, but there were those damnable walls that Obi-Wan had carefully erected around himself. What kind of Master was he when his own apprentice threw up walls to keep out his Master? Not a very good one. Qui-Gon wanted to get closer to the child, wanted to trust him, wanted to care for him, but he wasn't sure if he remembered how to. It was worth a try though…

"Obi-Wan, how do you feel today?" Qui-Gon awkwardly asked.

"Fine." There was that blasted one word answer in that damn monotone voice. He couldn't sense Obi-Wan's emotions, but this simple statement told Qui-Gon that Obi-Wan was not fine.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Talk about what?"

"What you're really feeling." There was only silence from Obi-Wan. Force, I tried.

(But not hard enough)

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon walked in silence the rest of the way off of the ship. Obi-Wan stared at his feet as if they would fall off if he took his eyes off of them. Qui-Gon tried several more times to get to the boy, but each attempt failed for Qui-Gon wasn't quite sure what he wanted to say. Any passerby would have said that Qui-Gon looked like a fish out of water. But Qui-Gon would have to save this for later, for the Ambassador of Trintonomia was headed towards the two Jedi. Both Jedi bowed at the approaching man.

"Master Jinn," the man drawled, "thank you so much for coming. I can't tell you how scared these separatists have made my people."

"It is our duty to protect the Republic, Ambassador Gentink." Qui-Gon replied to the man.

"You're assistance is well appreciated." The Ambassador smiled at the two Jedi, but that smile, it scared Obi-Wan. He couldn't explain where it was coming from, but Obi-Wan suddenly got an uneasy feeling about the man.

/ Master /

/ Yes, Obi-Wan /

/ I have an uneasy feeling about this man. Something is warning me of danger lurking in the future /

/ Are you sure, Obi-Wan, I don't sense anything /

Obi-Wan returned his gaze to the man and felt the feeling return with a vengeance.

/ Yeah, I'm sure. I'm not sure if it is about the Ambassador or the mission, though /

/ Alright, just keep your eyes open. If the feeling grows stronger or if you can pinpoint it, tell me /

/ Yes, Master /

He had known it all along. He knew that this mission was going to turn out badly. He had proof to back it up, but whether or not the mission went badly due to unseen forces or because of Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan was not sure of that answer. All he knew was that he was walking on egg shells and if he wasn't careful, he would regret it.