Author's Note: Here's the version proofed by our beta-reader. We hope it's better than the old one.

But hate fooled me
And changed my cards
No one asked if I want it
If I liked it

Blind Guardian 'Mordred's Song'

'I hate you!'

Obi-Wan was silent for some time. And what should he say? Of course, he didn't want to go to the Agricorps! And certainly not now—he was obviously too old for this; besides, he had done nothing wrong… Damn it! The worst part was that everybody had already known about this and Master… Jinn just decided to wait. He could have told him earlier, but preferred not to do so. Why? Was he feeling guilty? Obi-Wan raised his head and looked at Qui-Gon; a worried and sympathetic expression was upon his face. Was it just a little show in front of the Council—to seem sorrowful—or did he truly feel that way? Qui-Gon's soul was a mystery to everybody. Well, except Tahl, maybe, but she was dead. Obi-Wan shook his head, the confusion changing to anger. How could they? Why the hell the Agricorps? He should be knighted! Did Qui-Gon want to start Anakin's training so badly? If he was sure in something, nobody and nothing could make him change his opinion. And if even the entire Council agreed with him...

Obi-Wan quickly turned around and ran out of the Council Chamber before he started to say things he would certainly regret later. He automatically headed to the gardens of meditation—the place where everybody could find some peace.

Kenobi found his favorite spot—a nice place under the big tree from an unknown planet (actually, unknown to him, Shaak Ti once had told him, but he, of course, had paid no attention). Obi-Wan sat there, cross-legged, and tried to find his serene centre.

"The great Force, I feel like a pathetic life form!" he angrily thought.

Of course, the Council and Qui-Gon had already tried to consider all options, hadn't they?

Anakin had the highest midi-chlorian count so of course, he should be trained as a Jedi! But… did the count prove anything? Obi-Wan frowned for the first time thinking about it. There's also an ancient Prophecy, his inner voice said. As for Obi-Wan himself, he didn't believe in such things, but that didn't mean they couldn't happen. Now, when the Sith showed up again, the balance of the Force surely would be more important than one stupid Padawan. They'd killed a Sith, but there was still another one—a Master, most likely.

"There's no emotion, only serenity," Obi-Wan recalled the Code, taking a deep breath.

In addition to everything else, Anakin was just a scared little boy who had been a slave nearly for nine years and was suddenly taken from his loving mother and homeplanet. Most certainly, he was guilty of nothing. It had not been his fault that they had landed on Tatooine. "Mostly mine, I guess," Obi-Wan sarcastically hemmed.

Suddenly he remembered the nightmares. So, they had happened for good reason as part of Obi-Wan's fears had been realized in one of them. Well, not the worst one, considering that in another dream he was Anakin's Master and Qui-Gon was dead.

Another dream was more realistic. Part of it had already happened. But what about the next one? Anakin was destined to defeat the Sith (and his Apprentice, probably)? One day they would see.

Obi-Wan sighed deeply. The dreams were just a lame excuse not to return to the current situation.

Damn, first of all, why was he surprised? Qui-Gon didn't want him the first time they had met, about seven years ago, so why now? Besides, he'd mentioned that his Chosen One should be trained, and who could train him better than the great Qui-Gon Jinn? "I was replaced with a former slave!" Obi-Wan angrily thought.

But they still could knight him! Was he really so pathetic and weak? He sighed once again. To all appearances, yes.

So, what options did he have right now? Of course, he could leave the Jedi Order on his own and keep his dignity intact. Obi-Wan would have no reason to see Qui-Gon anymore; he would find a new job, a bodyguard or a mechanic (not only Anakin is skilled at fixing things!) or even try something else… It was never late to learn something new. But Kenobi was sure that this option was exactly what Jinn was expecting from him. He would just do a big favor to the Council by leaving on his own. Maybe it was right decision, but he didn't want to make it easier for them.

On the other hand, they would send him to the Agricorps—a destiny he had not expected for some years. Maybe he would have a chance to come back… Ah, damn it! Whom did he want to fool? They would simply forget about him. If his Master replaced him so easily, he wouldn't suffer from conscience.

And… Obi-Wan blinked. He couldn't ignore the Council order. Was it a Jedi habit or weak willpower? He shook his head and stood up.

He headed to the shared quarters (Anakin and Qui-Gon's) to take his bag. The Force seemed to be very calm, as if it wanted to tell him that everything was alright. Maybe it really would be better this way? In that case, he should not be so selfish. But it hurt.

Obi-Wan opened the door. Nobody. Good. Qui-Gon had considered everything 'a solo mission' when he had asked to gather his things. Obi-Wan grabbed remaining clothes and some presents from his friends—a Jedi didn't possess many things.

Then he remembered about an old model of a Jedi fighter, hanging under the cell. Obi-Wan had built it when he had been a child and hoped to be someone's Padawan; to serve the Republic, to save innocent lives… Something that would never happen now. He ignited the lightsaber and destroyed the model in a sudden flash of anger, getting strange satisfaction in this.

He took the bag and returned to the common room, where he noticed a datapad on the low table.

Obi-Wan Kenobi, your ship 'Silver Varactyl' arrives at 10:00 tomorrow.

How nice of them to leave a note here! He had a plenty of time now and could wait for Qui-Gon's return. They had much to talk about.

Obi-Wan knew that Qui-Gon kept a bottle of ardees somewhere—it was a present from one of his friends. As Kenobi remembered, Master once said that he would open it after the Knighting ceremony. A good occasion!

Obi-Wan wanted to get drunk and to forget about everything till the morning. Some years ago, he went to the bar in the lower levels of Coruscant with his friends. He drank one or two glasses of not very strong alcohol. Qui-Gon was very angry then. Interesting, what would he say now? Obi-Wan was not Jinn's Padawan anymore. He made himself comfortable in the armchair—Qui-Gon's armchair—nursing a glass in the hand and staring aimlessly at the wall.

The first glass, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth…

"What the hell are you doing?" a voice thundered above his right ear. Obi-Wan did not even notice when the man came in. He reached their training bond through the Force and realized that it did not exist anymore. Severed by the Council perhaps. There was nothing strange that Qui-Gon had been shielding earlier this morning.

"I'm getting drunk, why?" In any other time Kenobi would surely blush, be ashamed, start to apologize for the wrong behavior, and run to meditate without reminding. But right now the situation was entirely different. He was already slightly drunk and eager to tell Qui-Gon everything he was thinking about him. "You forgot about one simple thing, my dear former Master: I'm not your Padawan anymore, so I won't listen to you. You cannot order me." Kenobi smiled at him impudently.

"Obi-Wan! Stop it! I'm really very sorry for what have happened—"

"Save me your speeches, I should know you better—"

"Obi-Wan, please. Maybe you will thank me in the future," he said quietly.

"Really? Everybody senses that the boy is dangerous, why can't you?"

"Most members of the Jedi Council agree with me. Besides, it's not about this…"

"He's too old, too dangerous," Obi-Wan didn't notice the last part. "He can possibly be a great pilot, but not a Jedi. What do you know about the prophecy? What if it's not true?"

"It's true. Besides, there are some other… aspects," Jinn answered calmly. "And you are behaving like a jealous initiate."

Obi-Wan could not bear anymore and threw a glass against the wall. "Now I am!" The shattered pieces fell on the floor. He could not control his anger anymore. It would be a fall for a Jedi, but he was not one of them now, right?

"So, tell me, Qui-Gon, why did you accept me seven years ago? Was that not the will of the Force? Why do you reject me now?" he asked sadly.

Qui-Gon was silent for a moment. "Obi-Wan, that wasn't about the Prophecy. You're like a son to me and… and I don't want something happen with you!"

"That's why you didn't decide to knight me," Kenobi finished. So that was the truth, they considered me as another "pathetic life form". He looked at Jinn. A hypocrite!

"Obi-Wan, please. There are some things you cannot understand now…"

"I hate you!" Kenobi yelled at him suddenly, even for himself. He put all his hatred into these words; he really meant them and did not care about the consequence.

"Obi-Wan! Enough!" Qui-Gon was not so calm anymore; his eyes were flashing with slightly rising anger.

"I'm not a Jedi." Kenobi grabbed the half-empty bottle and threw it against the wall too. Seemed, the thick carpet was ruined…

Qui-Gon narrowed his eyes and was staring at him, but did not say a word.

"And, please, tell me, what if Anakin is not the Chosen One? Or the prophecy is only the fairy-tale for naïve younglings?" Obi-Wan asked mockingly.

"Don't start this! Besides, it was you who took his count." What stupid cop-outs!

"And what if I made a mistake? And some years later you'll find another so-called 'Chosen One'? Will you reject Anakin too?" Qui-Gon was white with rage. At that moment Obi-Wan really believed that Jinn was going to slap him, but somehow the Jedi managed to control his emotions.

"Well, I believe this room now belongs to Anakin." Kenobi waved his hand toward his old room, then took his bag and left the quarters.