Qui Gon was finally released from the healers' wing a few days later. There was still no word from Obi Wan, and it worried him a great deal. All he had been given thus far from Mace was that Obi Wan was alive, had used his life force to heal him, and wished to not see him. He had tried to contact his former padawan through the training bond, but it was gone. It had not been severed, it was simply gone. It felt like it had never been there in the first place. Another mystery that neither he nor the other masters had been able to explain.

Anakin had been his constant companion throughout his stay in the ward, and now was never away from his side. Qui Gon appreciated his companionship a great deal. The child's earnestness and enthusiasm helped keep him from brooding over Obi Wan's abandonment and kept him focused on the here and now.

Spending time with Anakin solidified in his mind that he had made the right choice in bringing the boy to the temple, and he was glad that he had been allowed to train him. Though losing Obi Wan in such a way stung greatly, he had no doubt that this was a sign from the Force and that he had no choice but to obey.

xxx

"Mace!"

Mace Windu turned to see his old friend coming to greet him in the dining hall. "Qui Gon."

"It's been a week since I've last seen you. Since anyone really has seen you. You never come around here anymore."

Mace shrugged, "I have been rather busy."

Qui Gon was not sure how to handle his friend's rather cool demeanor. "I hear you have a new padawan. How has he been doing?"

"He has been fine, and is the reason I've been busy. I'm sure you understand, having your own new padawan to take care of."

"Yes. When they are so young they tend to keep you on your toes."

"Indeed." Mace turned as if to leave, so Qui Gon put a hand on his shoulder.

"Have I done something wrong to upset you?"

Mace sighed, he'd just hoped to get two meals to bring back to his quarters and really just wanted to avoid talking to the other master. Since taking on Obi Wan as a padawan he had found out just how much pain Obi Wan had suffered in the Council Chambers when Qui Gon had essentially rejected him in favor of Anakin, and he knew that if he spent to much time with the other man, he might just show how much that angered him, which would essentially ruin Obi Wan's secret. "I'm just bringing meals back to my quarters for me and my padawan."

"Why did he not come down with you?"

"He's been feeling under the weather." Mace smiled and nodded tightly at Qui Gon. "I'll be seeing you around."

Xxx

Obi Wan was growing frustrated as he attempted to do the kata again. It was a rather advanced one, but he had mastered it several years ago. Now though he couldn't quite get his smaller, less agile body to cooperate.

"You're pushing yourself too hard." Mace said softly as he entered the room with two meals balanced in one hand. "I do not need to use the force to sense the frustration coming from you now."

"I'm sorry master."

Mace shook his head. "I've never thought I'd have to say this to a padawan but if you continue to practice-"

"I've been able to do this exercise for years though." Obi Wan interrupted.

"In a 25 year old body that had been conditioned to be capable of moving in such a way. Obi Wan, you will get back there soon enough, and be all the more capable and skilled when you do."

Obi Wan looked down. "17 years isn't exactly soon."

Mace set down the meals on the table. "It'll pass though. And your connection with the force is still as strong as it was when you still had your 25 year old body. And it will only grow stronger with age."

Obi Wan didn't look entirely mollified, but he went to get utensils. Mace sighed, he felt for the young bo-man and could only imagine what frustrations he would feel if their places had been reversed.

"Master," Obi Wan started hesitantly as he came back into the living room. "What about my classes? I still haven't finished the last of my senior classes, but with-" he gestured at himself, "I don't know what to do. I can't very well go in to those lessons like this. If nothing else the news of my… new circumstances, will fuel the temple gossip fire for months. But if your new padawan doesn't go to any lessons…"

"That too will start the tongues wagging." Mace finished for his new charge. It had been something he had been thinking about and he was glad that Obi Wan had been the first bring it up as he had not wanted to push the still traumatized boy into anything he was not ready for just yet. On top of that the council had deemed it best that morning to limit as best possible the number of people aware of Obi Wan's change to only those who were responsible for his teaching and wellbeing, and perhaps his closest of friends. "What do you suggest?"

"I-" Obi Wan looked reluctant. "I should go to the kata and lightsaber classes that are appropriate for my… physical age. It should help me become more used to this shape again and the exercise will be suited to the needs of this body. But for the classes in theory and such I do not know what to do. I still remember everything from before, but I am reluctant to go to senior padawnan classes in this form."

Mace smiled, "You are very wise young padawan to accept the restrictions that you find placed upon yourself. I will speak to your teachers so they are apprised of the situation and when you are fully cleared by the healers you can start going to lightsaber class again. As for your theory classes, you still appear very young. Tutoring would not be unusual for one of your apparent age, so if it is acceptable you can continue your lessons in that way."

Obi Wan nodded, relieved. "Yes, that would be very acceptable."

"The council has discussed you for some length. It has been deemed best that it would be best to limit the number of people aware of what you have done as best we can. There are many people who are not fond of you and Master Jinn, and there are dark forces who would no doubt be intrigued by what you were able to do to save that pig headed fool." Obi Wan's mouth twitched a little upwards at the insult, "Not to mention the advantages there are to having people underestimate you, at least on missions."

"I understand."

"That means we must discuss a new name for you to use in public."

"Whatever you think will be easiest for you to remember Master." Obi Wan responded cheekily.

Mace smiled. "Right, so something simple, one syllable. Ben?"

Obi Wan tilted his head slightly in agreement. There was nothing for him to object to in that name.

"And we at the council discussed at length your trials."

Obi Wan looked down, he had been only months away at most from being ready to face his trials and become a knight. He would never be able to face them in this child form.

"As far as we are concerned, there is nothing we could do that would try you more than this. You have shown in the battle with the Sith great Skill, Courage, Spirit, and Insight. And what you have suffered is one of the greatest trials of the Flesh we could imagine. You have passed the trials."

Obi Wan gaped at his Master. "But- I can't be a knight. Not like this."

"No. It would not be wise. But when you are ready to accept the title, we will bestow it to you. Until then, I hope that there is still some things I can teach you."