A/N: darkikill, thanks for the reading! Here's the next chapter. And again, we apologize for our language.


It was the early evening and the light colored the room into the beautiful shadows. However, Obi-Wan didn't pay much attention to it: he was sitting on the floor and reading something on his datapad. Most likely, it was for his upcoming classes. Mari was sneaking around, messing with studies, but didn't help, to Obi-Wan's displeasure. He and Master Dooku had been on a mission for about a week; absolutely nothing important, but the local government wanted the Jedi to attend the negotiations. Obi-Wan discovered his Master had an ability to sit with an expression upon his face that he was doing a great favor to those pathetic people. He was tall and looked noble even in plain Jedi uniform and black cloak. Kenobi himself couldn't pay much attention to a dull conversation for a long time and he was dismissed by Dooku with a sigh since there was nothing really important.

The Council seemed neutral about him (Dooku had already spoken with them about Bruck, but said nothing else); Master also said nothing about the fruitless and unprofessional attempt to run away (not counting that he gave Obi-Wan some extra studies—to make the next one professional, Padawan supposed). Thus, Obi-Wan had nothing to worry about, but he promised himself not to disappoint his mentor in the future. Now he was studying missing lessons and tried to understand a topic about politics. He failed. However, Obi-Wan didn't want to bother Dooku with this (to be honest, he felt shy), though, most likely, his Master would help.

The door opened. Obi-Wan even didn't raise his head to see who came in; it should be Dooku returning from the Council briefing.

But it wasn't him.

"Greetings, Obi-Wan. Is your Master here?" Jinn asked. Obi-Wan noticed that he was carrying the travel bag on the shoulder. As he had heard, Xanatos, Qui-Gon's previous Apprentice, tried to penetrate the Temple, using Bruck. Luckily, nothing serious had happened. The boy was sent straight at home, but the Dark Jedi managed to escape.

"Good evening, Master Jinn." Obi-Wan tried to be as polite as possible. At heart, he still hoped that Qui-Gon would change his decision and would take his Padawan back. This hope faded day by day and what's more—Obi-Wan started to appreciate the new life. "I'm sorry, but he's not at home. Can I help you?"

"I'm afraid, you can't. I wanted to talk to him. Unfortunately, my transport will be leaving soon and I have no time to wait for him." Jinn studied the wrist chrono, wrinkling disapprovingly.

"Another mission?" Obi-Wan asked out of politeness. He had already learned that many missions were just the routine. And others were quite dangerous for the life.

"Well, I can't call it a mission I suppose." Qui-Gon shook his shoulders. "The Council do not approve it."

Obi-Wan nodded. It just was Jinn's way of doing most of things. Padawan tried to read another sentence on datapad and not to look absent.

"Tell Dooku, please, that I'm going to find Xanatos."

"What?" If Obi-Wan wasn't sitting on the floor, he would definitely drop something on it. "I mean… why?"

"It's alright, Obi-Wan. I want to speak with him… and return him in the Temple." Qui-Gon took Obi-Wan's datapad and frowned.

"That makes sense," Obi-Wan thought. "He's dangerous and even tried to kill Yoda!"

"…as my Padawan," Qui-Gon continued. "Oh, I'm almost late! It was nice to see you, pass my regards to Dooku. Besides, your work is full of mistakes."

Qui-Gon left the flat, leaving Obi-Wan with opened mouth.

How could he do this? Obi-Wan still remembered their last meeting with the Dark Jedi. He wasn't sure he would like to see him again. No…

"Is anything wrong, Padawan?" Dooku raised his left brow with an unspoken question.

Kenobi mentally stoke himself on the forehead: he even didn't notice Master's arrival.

"Has something happened?" Dooku asked again, sitting himself in the armchair and straightening the wrinkles on the tunic. Mari quickly left Obi-Wan's side and climbed onto master's knees. The elder Jedi automatically started to stroke her.

It was a standard question, Dooku often wasn't at home, spending time with the Council or in the Archives—it was part of having such a famous mentor for Obi-Wan, so he answered for a calls and later told Dooku, who wanted to see him.

"Master Shaak Ti called in the morning; she said something about the holodisk she had given you ages ago." Obi-Wan said, remembering carefully.

Master nodded.

"I hope she won't kill me… I sense something else, right?"

"Master Jinn…" Obi-Wan started. "He wanted to see you."

Dooku lent on the armchair and sighed.

"And what did he want?"

Obi-Wan retold the previous conversation. Obviously, Dooku was surprised.

"It's too foolish even for him!" He finally said.

"Because it's dangerous?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Because he wants to take this Xanatos back!" Dooku even didn't look at his Padawan. He seemed calm, but Obi-Wan sensed that he was outrageous inside. Their training bond wasn't good enough for a connection in the battle, but it started to form. Anyway, the answer was equal to the question in Kenobi's opinion.

"I—I have seen him once. He tried to kill us… Master Dooku! Master Jinn will be alone this time. Can—"

"Obi-Wan," the elder Jedi interrupted him tiredly "if you'll try to escape to 'help' Qui-Gon, then you can not return back at any outcome."

"I'm sorry, but—"

"It was Qui-Gon's decision. A very foolish one. Xanatos will never return in the Temple as a Jedi, I'm quite positive about it. There was something in him from the beginning, but Qui-Gon would never listen. He shouldn't bring him here for the first time. I'm sure Xanatos can be a good ruler for Telos, but not a Jedi."

On the one hand, part of Obi-Wan wanted to help Qui-Gon somehow. He thought that Xanatos would not accept his former Master's offer. On the other hand… if Qui-Gon supposed that it's worth trying then why not? He was one of the best Jedi in the Temple long before Obi-Wan learned about him.

"Is that all?" Dooku stood up and looked at his Padawan.

"Yes," Obi-Wan answered, and then quickly added "Can-you-help-me-please?"

Dooku frowned: he didn't like that was of the speaking. But to Obi-Wan's surprise he sat down again and said "Well, Padawan. What topic?"

Kenobi guiltily handed him a datapad.

"Alright. But you will return the holodisk Shaak Ti and apologize for me. Now, listen carefully…"


We'd be happy to see reviews. It makes us write faster.