Fire and Ice: Trials (third in a series)

Authors: Durhelediel and Layren

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: The Star Wars universe and people belong to George Lucas. We know that, but we refuse to accept it. Lol

Summary: After all the recent events that have happened, Qui-Gon is placed on a solitary mission that goes horribly wrong. Will he survive to see his padawan again?

Chapter One

"You are under review for your recent disobedience to the Council," Mace Windu said, his fingers steepled in front of him. "The Council is concerned about how this is becoming a habit. We believe that it is time to give you a test of sorts."

Qui-Gon frowned and crossed his arms over his chest. "A test?" he echoed. "Merely being a few hours late with a comm call does not warrant such severity."

Yoda sent him a sharp look. "Question our orders you should not. Repeated this is. Reason for this test it is."

Qui-Gon fell silent, gritting his teeth. He nodded once, to Master Yoda. "As you wish, my Master."

Ki-Adi Mundi, usually one of the Jedi that overlooked Qui-Gon's constant rubbing with the Council, frowned. "You will be going on a solo mission as your padawan recovers. There is no objection or negotiation on your part. Obi-Wan is not even to be told that you are leaving. You will time your departure for when he is in another bacta treatment."

Qui-Gon's gaze narrowed at that. Like the Sith he would leave without informing his padawan. "As my padawan is still injured it is my duty as his master to stay at his side until he fully recovers."

"Disobey you will not," Yoda barked sharply, showing a rare sign of temper. "To someone else you will appoint your duty."

Qui-Gon struggled to keep his temper and his tongue in check. "Very well," he snapped. "I was under the impression that neglecting your duty was generally frowned upon. However, I will do as I am ordered."

Mace glared at him. "Yes, you will," he said in a cold tone. "And never mind about appointing someone to watch over Obi-Wan. We'll take care of that for you. We suggest you leave. Now."

Qui-Gon didn't bother to reply. He turned on his heel and stormed from the room, highly irritated at how the meeting had gone. He was furious at the Council, but he knew he had to get his anger in check. He headed back to the Healer's Wing to check on his padawan before he left, regardless of what the Council had just told him about leaving without informing Obi-Wan.

Kyran met him at his padawan's recovery room door. "He's back in bacta again. The skin on his back was so badly burned and flayed that it doesn't want to heal without reoccurring infection. Han'yaie thinks he can get the infection to go away this time, though," Kyran informed Qui-Gon quietly as he steered his friend back around toward the bacta tanks.

Qui-Gon nodded, wincing at Kyran's news. And the Council expected him to leave his padawan in this condition? His heart rebelled at the idea of leaving him in this vulnerable state. His heart felt as if it would bleed with misery and anger. "I can't stay," he said shortly in an irritated tone.

Kyran glanced at him, shock on his face. "Why not?"

"I'm forbidden to stay at my padawan's side, due to my disobedience. The Council is sending me on a mission." He clenched his hands into fists. "I can't even tell him that I'm leaving. In fact, I'm probably highly disobeying orders just by popping in to check on him."

Kyran looked as if he wished Qui-Gon were joking, but knew he was not. "Wow..." was all he could say as he stopped right outside Obi-Wan's bacta tank.

Qui-Gon pushed aside his anger and discontent as he gazed at his unconscious padawan. He smiled a little seeing Obi-Wan floating peacefully in the bacta tank. He sent a wave of love and comfort to the boy. "I have to leave. The Council is appointing someone else to look after him while I'm gone." He swallowed, wincing at the pain of his still-healing throat. "I hope they pick you, but if not, I'd still appreciate you looking out for him once in awhile."

"Of course!" Kyran said, now looking shocked that Qui-Gon would ever question it. "Know where you're going yet?"

"No. Not yet, I'm assuming they'll tell me eventually, unless they just want me drifting in space," Qui-Gon remarked curtly.

"Qui-Gon!" came a sharp, very familiar voice from behind him. "Leaving you should be!"

Qui-Gon's gaze darkened noticeably and he turned to face the small Master, defiance sparkling in his blue eyes. "I was just leaving, Master Yoda. Far be it from me to check on my apprentice in a bacta tank." He glowered at the small Master, highly upset.

Yoda sighed and made his way over to Qui-Gon. "Hard it is, Qui-Gon, but important this test is. This time defy not the Council."

"I will do my duty," he ground out through clenched teeth. "I was just leaving. Good day." He stormed from the room, giving his padawan a last burst of comfort before he left.

Yoda watched Qui-Gon leave and let out a big sigh before turning to Kyran. "Decided the Council has that appointed are you to watch Obi-Wan. Keep Qui-Gon informed of all you should."

"Yes, Master Yoda. He informed me the Council would be picking someone to look after him. I will be more than happy to look out for Obi-Wan until Qui-Gon returns," Kyran said as he stared after his friend's retreating back.

"Learn this lesson he must," Yoda informed Kyran. "Hard it will be."

"Is this honestly the best time for him to learn such a lesson, Master Yoda? It might drive him to further rebellion rather than what the Council wishes."

Yoda glanced up at him. "That is why a test it is," he said simply.

Kyran sighed a little. "Yes, Master Yoda." He turned his attention back to Obi-Wan. He would not be pleased to wake up and find his master gone.

Mace was waiting at the ramp to a small but fast, sleek ship. "You're late," he reproached his friend, raising his eyebrows. They both knew why he was late, though Mace didn't immediately say anything about it, except for a quiet, "How is he?"

Qui-Gon gritted his teeth, tempted very strongly to say something ugly to his friend, but swallowed it with difficulty. "Not good. His eyes were restored but his skin is so badly flayed and burned Han'yaie is keeping him in a bacta tank to prevent infection." His stormy blue eyes narrowed, unhappy with the situation and being made to leave without at least telling his padawan goodbye. Obi-Wan was a very impressionable young man. What would he think when he awoke and found his Master had left without a word or a note of goodbye?

Mace nodded curtly, then gestured to the one-man craft. "You are to take this to the coordinates already on the navicomputer. We will send instructions once you are there." He gave him a stern look. "We know how long it takes to get there."

Qui-Gon glared at him. "If I am ambushed will that be held against my record?"

Mace visibly bit back a retort and said only, "No."

"Good. If the Council has no further orders I will be departing." Qui-Gon folded his arms across his chest.

Mace simply gestured to the ship and stepped away. "May the Force be with you," he called after him.

Qui-Gon didn't reply verbally, he merely gave a curt nod as he slipped into the pilot's seat and glared at the navicomp. He gained clearance to depart and within minutes was in Coruscant's atmosphere heading toward space. He frowned, wondering where he was going, but then dismissed the thought for the moment. Regaining his attention to what he was doing, he pulled the lever when he came to realspace and the stars flared into starlines.

Yoda slowly made his way toward Mace, having left Kyran and Obi-Wan. "Think you do that the Council is wrong with Qui-Gon?" the little Jedi Master asked softly.

Mace Windu sighed. "Perhaps now isn't the best time for this test. Perhaps it would've been more appropriate had we waited until Obi-Wan was more fully recovered."

"Agree with you I do," Yoda said, surprising Mace. "But agrees not the rest of the Council does. Help him if we can we must."

Mace nodded. "I will go back to the Healer's wing and sit with Kyran for awhile." He sighed heavily, hating the fact that he had to censure one of his friends.

Yoda nodded. "Necessary the Council thinks this is. Concerned I am. More looking into this needs." He started back toward his room.

"I will contact you on how Obi-Wan is recovering, Master," Mace replied, knowing what the Council thought of Qui-Gon and his rebellion, but also how concerned they were about Obi-Wan's recent trauma. He bowed deeply out of respect for the small Master. "May the Force be with you."

Yoda seemed troubled as he responded, "And with you."