My first fanfic. Reviews welcome.

Disclaimer 1: I don't own any of the characters created by George Lucas or Jude Watson. Everyone else belongs to me.

Disclaimer 2: This story is about relationships. If I ever finish it, it'll be long and full of lots of dialogue. I'm writing it as a means of exploring relationships and growth, so if you're into action, you'll find some, but not lots. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer 3: Jude Watson's work inspired me, but it's a jumping off place. I'm using some of her story/historical elements and ignoring others, so it's only partially true to the JA series.


Qui-Gon heard the soft warning tap of the gimer stick just moments before it's owner's voice interrupted his thoughts. With Obi-Wan assigned to sparring practice, he'd hoped to sort through his observations about the boy, observations he'd been filing away for just such a quiet moment of reflection. In the short months since he'd taken the lad as his Padawan learner, they'd been assigned one mission after another, leaving little time for rest, reflection, or Temple training. So he'd kept the thoughts at bay, promising himself he'd sort them out when the Council decided he and Obi-Wan needed a break. It had come at last, but it seemed Qui-Gon's musings would have to wait.

"Doing well, your Padawan is?" the little gnome inquired, falling in step beside the tall Jedi Master.

Qui-Gon slowed his pace to match the shorter stride of Yoda, frowning as he replied, "Yes. Exceptionally so."

If Yoda noticed Qui-Gon's contradictory expression, he didn't indicate it, going on to ask, "Adjusting to one another, are you?"

"It's only been a few months, Master," Qui-Gon reminded his old advisor. "Combining the threads of two lives takes much time. But I think we're making good progress. We're learning each other's ways, beginning to read one another's temperaments, strengths, weaknesses. It's going well."

"Good," pronounced Yoda in a pleased voice. "An excellent pairing you are. Much to learn from one another you both have."

Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He sensed the old creature next to him had more to say and decided to wait. It wasn't uncommon for Yoda to check in with new Master/Apprentice teams, offering counsel, encouragement, or correction where needed. He possessed an uncanny ability to read relationships, individuals, and situations, making him an invaluable resource, and his present line of questioning appeared, on the surface, to be nothing more than a routine inquiry. Qui-Gon wasn't certain, though, that the wise sage didn't have a deeper purpose for this impromptu meeting. Better to let him have his say and then Qui-Gon could resume his original train of thought.

"Something about your young apprentice is troubling you."

Qui-Gon sighed. There it was. Yoda had read him as easily as if he were an open book. This was the very matter he'd intended to explore within himself today, and now Yoda had pierced the veil of his scattered thoughts before he'd even had time to collect, organize, and analyze them. He briefly considered denying the gnome's statement, but quickly dismissed the idea. Yoda would not be put off so easily. Instead he responded, "Nothing troubles me, exactly, Master. I'm simply learning more of the boy's strengths and weaknesses, seeing where he most needs my guidance. I… well, I'm… There are things I need to teach him. Not new battle stances or skills, but things of the heart."

Yoda glanced knowingly up into Qui-Gon's face, "The hardest things to teach are matters of the heart."

"Yes." Qui-Gon agreed, surprised he'd been able to bring the crux of the matter into focus so quickly. "And I'm not sure exactly where or how to start."

"Listened to a wise man speak, I once did," Yoda replied with a twinkle in his eye. "'The mission teaches where I cannot,' he said. Know him, perhaps you do."

Qui-Gon grinned. "Using my own words against me. But even so, some lessons require more than a mission. They must be intentionally taught or they may be missed."

"Yes," agreed Yoda soberly. "Perhaps tell me what lessons Obi-Wan must learn, you should."

Abandoning his plans for a solitary walk through the quiet halls of the Temple, Qui-Gon strolled over to a bench and seated himself. True, he'd wished to examine the matter on his own, roll it over in his mind and consider it from all angles. But he might get further if he discussed it with the wise Jedi now gingerly seating himself beside Qui-Gon on the broad stone surface. Once comfortable, Yoda looked into Qui-Gon's face, waiting patiently as the younger Master pulled his thoughts together.

"Obi-Wan is an exceptional apprentice," he began, "more gifted than I realized at first. He has a bright future ahead of him, the potential to become a great Master in his own right." Yoda nodded his agreement, but remained silent so the big man could continue. "And he's an excellent pupil as well – willing to learn, eager to please. Every day I am more certain that taking him as my Padawan was the right decision. He is learning to control his anger as well as his fear…"

Qui-Gon's words trailed to a halt. He was thankful the old gnome patiently allowed him time to reflect. Finally, he resumed. "My greatest concern is his lack of connection to the Living Force." Memories flooded his mind, moments from the different missions the two had recently shared when his Padawan had demonstrated signs that troubled him: a lack of patience with difficult life forms and those who were slow to respond, detachment from the emotions of those around him, and even, on occasion, a failure to see and understand individual needs or motivations beyond those most obvious to the completion of the mission before him. He had compassion. He cared, something Qui-Gon found greatly consoling. But he lacked the innate ability to connect with most life forms on a deeper level, to read issues that ran far beneath the surface. And this ability was, to Qui-Gon, one of the most valuable.

After a few minutes, Yoda broke the silence, jerking Qui-Gon back to the present. "Learning the ways of the Living Force a life-long pursuit of each Jedi must be. Still very young Obi-Wan is. Much time to learn he has."

"That is true, Master," Qui-Gon conceded, "but how do I set him on the path? How do I create a connection where none exists?"

Yoda considered the question before responding. "This you cannot do," he said at last. "Each Jedi his own connection must make."

"But what if Obi-Wan does not do so?" Qui-Gon's face was grave.

"Some Jedi there are who do not. The Living Force only part of the total Force is. A strong Knight he can become even without such a connection. This you know is true."

Dismay clouded Qui-Gon's features. "Master, I do not want that for Obi-Wan! I…"

Yoda held up a small hand to silence the younger man. "Know this I do. Agree with you I must. Want Obi-Wan to understand you, you do. Without this connection hampered Obi-Wan will be. Without it, his full potential he cannot achieve."

Qui-Gon saw that the wizened creature understood his feelings without his having to express them. Though other Jedi had not always understood or agreed with it, he knew that Yoda valued his ability to connect with and rely on the Living Force. His need for it was, the old Master had told him, both his greatest strength and his greatest liability.

"I must do what I can to help Obi-Wan forge this connection," Qui-Gon said at last. "But if it cannot be taught by the Master or the mission, how is he to acquire it?"

"Life," said Yoda quietly. "Life will teach him. Wait you must. What paths lie before him you do not know. Be patient we will and see."

The answer wasn't what Qui-Gon had hoped for, but he recognized the wisdom of many years in it. So he would watch and wait. He would continue to direct his young apprentice back to the Living Force. And he would hope.