The next morning Qui-Gon scolded himself profusely for an hour. Obi-Wan was not his responsibility! The initiate had a problem, yes, but the Jedi Council could deal with it. Obi-Wan's instructor in his quarters could see that the boy was helped. No need to get involved!

So why couldn't he refuse the Council's request to meet Obi-Wan in the meditation gardens again and assist him? Qui-Gon cursed his foolishness for getting involved with any youngling. It was selfish of him to want company of someone who did not bring up the word 'Padawan' every other sentence- especially when the company was someone who wanted to be a Padawan! In Qui-gon's mind, any close association could destroy Obi-Wan's chances on the initiate's journey to Knighthood or the Initiate himself. Obi-Wan could fail because of Qui-Gon's inability to teach properly, just as he had done with Xanatos.

Qui-Gon resolved to take a mission off of Coruscant by the end of the week.

But by the end of that time any resolve to do so had crumbled into dust that he no longer remembered. Obi-Wan's healing was coming painfully slow, but Qui-Gon was insistent on continuing- his concern outweighing the danger in his mind. The Council had been alerted and Master Yoda was personally taking the time to meet with Obi-Wan privately for repeating some of the beginning lessons. Basics were the best way to ease back into using the Force, and the Initiate was shocked with how difficult it had become to even levitate something.

In the afternoon, he joined Qui-Gon in the garden to begin the painful and long process of meditating. Some days, Obi-Wan could slip into a peaceful trance and then calmly slip out without a hitch (although it was only about thirty minutes). Other days, he would begin to panic immediately and the two would start over after some basic breathing exercises. It frustrated Obi-Wan painfully, despite Qui-Gon's quiet words of reassurance.

Before the Master knew it, an entire month had passed. Obi-Wan had improved drastically. With help and a physical presence, he could successfully enter and stay in a meditative trance for an hour. With only an overseer (someone watching him but not physically touching him in some way) he could stay calm for about thirty minutes. Although not completely healed, everyone was rather pleased with the results.

Everyone except Obi-Wan.

"You can't expect everything to immediately return to normal," Qui-Gon comforted one day after a particularly hard session. "You have been carrying this for a year."

"I… I just feel so useless. Who wants a padawan who can't even properly meditate?"

Qui-Gon physically flinched at the word but recovered fast enough for Obi-Wan not to notice. "Someone will see your strength through this trial. And by the time that comes, you will have fully recovered. I know it."

Deep inside, Obi-Wan felt his emotions soar, but he kept it hidden as best he could. Over the course of his healing, Obi-Wan had seen a side few Jedi had ever even heard of from Master Jinn. He was kind hearted, but firm. Patient, but also knew your limitations, always pushing you to do your best. And most importantly, he never spoke ill of Obi-Wan. He knew the boy was working hard and was discouraged with the results. He knew exactly what to say to comfort his fears and frustrations. As the days passed and the sessions grew longer, Obi-Wan started to feel more at ease around the mysterious Master.

It was hardly a surprise to him when his heart and mind finally accepted the Force's constant nudges. 'Qui-Gon Jinn is going to be my Master.' It wasn't a question anymore. He knew without a doubt that was what the Force decreed. And as Qui-Gon was always telling him, 'Trust in the Force.'

At the end of two months, Obi-Wan had successfully meditated for three hours, under the careful supervision of Master Jinn. The Jedi Master congratulated him and gave a rare smile.

The boy went back to his quarters, happier than he had been in a very long time. In his eyes, it would be long until Qui-Gon came to the same conclusion as him- the Force wanted them to be a team.

The next morning, Master Windu was waiting to meditate with Obi-Wan, informing him that Qui-Gon had left on a mission immediately after the day's earlier meditation. When he would return was uncertain.

Sleep eluded Obi-Wan that night.

Short chapter but I hope you enjoyed it! May the Force be With You!