That scene in the Phantom Menace in the Council chamber - when Qui-gon and Obi-wan are giving their initial report - has always bothered me. What was Qui-gon thinking? Was there something else he wasn't telling anyone? This is my take on it.
Vergence
"May the Force be with you."
At the formal words both Jedi bowed. Obi-wan started automatically toward the door. Qui-gon stayed where he was. After a moment Yoda spoke wryly. "Master Qui-gon. More to say have you?"
At the words Obi-wan drew up, surprise echoing through their bond. He had not sensed Qui-gon's halt. Qui-gon noticed Obi-wan covered the surprise quickly and folded his arms into his robe, waiting, and was grateful for his padawan's discression; if Qui-gon came under the Council's disapproval he did not want his apprentice to suffer for something he knew nothing of.
"With your permission, Master," Qui-gon replied, carefully shunting any remaining nervousness into the Force. He drew a deep breath. "I have encountered a vergence in the Force."
At this the Council stirred. A vergence was a strong point in the Force, usually a place or an item, but Qui-gon knew his tone had implied differently. Yoda asked curiously, "A vergence, you say."
Master Windu glanced quickly at Yoda and asked, "Located around a – person?"
Qui-gon nodded, feeling a wave of relief that he quickly hid to keep the Council from sensing it. "A boy. With the highest concentration of medichlorians I have ever seen in a life form." He drew a deep breath, rapidly shielding his apprentice from the half-truth he was about to speak. "It is possible he was conceived by medichlorians."
He noticed the Council rapidly exchange a glance, knowing what he was inferring. Qui-gon forced himself to project a feeling of confidence despite his misgivings. Anakin certainly had a father – but the fact that father had been a Jedi would remove any chance of Anakin training here. Qui-gon noticed Obi-wan start slightly before settling again.
Mace finally spoke. "You refer to the prophecy of one who will bring balance to the Force. You believe it's this – boy?"
"I don't presume to –"
"But you do," Master Yoda cut in. "Revealed, your opinion is."
A flash of irritation coursed through him before he quickly released it. Qui-gon did indeed believe the boy had something to do with the ancient prophecy – he just didn't know what. "I request the boy be tested, Master."
"Oh," Yoda stated, looking knowingly at Qui-gon. "Trained as a Jedi, your request for him, hmm?"
Qui-gon allowed his sincerity to penetrate the air about them as he replied obliquely, "Finding him was the will of the Force. I have no doubt of that." Indeed he didn't, but he had no idea as to the purpose.
The Council exchanged a glance. Finally Mace sighed and shook his head. Looking troubled, he concluded wearily, "Bring him before us, then."
Qui-gon bowed slightly and retreated toward the massive doors, and Obi-wan bowed in turn and followed him out the door. Qui-gon could feel their troubled gazes following him as the door closed behind them.
As he strode down the hall beside his apprentice, he felt Obi-wan's unease. He knew something was wrong about this whole picture; Qui-gon noted ruefully that he would have been surprised if he had not. But Obi-wan didn't speak as they walked down the hall, headed toward their apartment – and the boy who had unconsciously become the source of all their troubles.
