Man, I am so bad at updating this! Sorry!

Thank you to anyone who reviewed! Only two chapters after this- then it is on to the sequel! (Yeah, there's going to be a sequel. Yay! Or maybe not... Whatever.)

So on with 'Ways of the Force'.

Obi-Wan's sudden awakening could not be explained by the healers. There was no reason why he should have woken up. No one had tried to bring him back to the land of the living. There was no abnormal surges in the Force. Logically speaking, he should be still be unconscious. In fact, the news about Obi-Wan was more talked about then the strange bombing that had taken place in the Temple.

No one had an explanation for that either. The arrival of Xanatos was kept under wraps to the best of the Council's ability, to prevent any unnecessary panic. They had a feeling it would be sometime before he tried to do anything like his first attack again. They increased security and resolved to hunt down Xanatos when he appeared again. The fallen Jedi had vanished into thin air.

To most Jedi, Obi-Wan had just suddenly woke up for no reason at all and the bomb was an unexplainable incident that was either an accident or a poor attack since no one was killed. The two events were never put together.

Qui-Gon had remained with Obi-Wan until one of the healers had finally put his foot down and forced the Jedi into another room to be treated for his injuries from his fight with Xanatos. Of course, this interruption made him miss Obi-Wan's final reawakening.

In fact, Qui-Gon didn't get to see Obi-Wan for 24 hours after Xanatos attacked. By then, Obi-Wan had been cleared off by a healer and was taken back to his room.

Without anyone telling him to, Obi-Wan packed his bag and headed for the transportation hub, keeping his head ducked down and avoiding everyone. He had made it about halfway when Qui-Gon found him.

The Master was a tad confused at the small bag on the boy's back, "Where are you going with all of that, Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan froze in his tracks and slowly turned around, his head hanging down. "The transport."

"Why?" Qui-Gon frowned.

"... I am to be sent to the Agri Corps, remember Master Jinn?" Obi-Wan replied, his voice emotionless and hollow.

"Oh… right." Qui-Gon shifted awkwardly, unsure of what to say. "Where will you be assigned?"

"Bandomeer."

Qui-Gon stepped back, his expression shocked. "Did… did you say Bandomeer?"

"Yes, sir."

He blinked. Qui-Gon felt a small breeze float by and the Force seemed to sing, 'I don't give up easily.'

"I… I was going to Bandomeer the day you fell into your coma."

Obi-Wan's eyes snapped up, "You… you were?"

Qui-Gon nodded unable to speak.

"Well," Obi-Wan hesitated for a moment, "That's a coincidence."

There are moments in your life where your heart and mind for a single moment align perfectly, with no hesitations, no second-guesses, just harmony. These moments are rare, but are usually the ones that you hold close to your heart. They are the ones that can change your life.

For the first time in a very long time, Qui-Gon had one of those moments. The Force gently nudged him on, whispering comfort and confirmation of the realization.

"No, Obi-Wan. It is not."

Obi-Wan blinked, confused. "Master Jinn?"

"... Would you mind if we sat down and talked?"

"I… I don't know. I need to catch a transport-"

"Please, Obi-Wan." The man sounded so desperate that Obi-Wan felt a small stab of guilt. Qui-Gon motioned to window ledge, before sitting down on one end.

Obi-Wan hesitated, his eyes flicking between the Jedi and the direction of the transportation hub. He sighed before taking his place on the opposite end of the window ledge, fiddling with his small bag of clothes. "What do you want to talk about?"

Qui-Gon didn't answer right away, his gaze fixed on the view of the city below.

The youngling was unable to keep his eyes still, flicking between the view, the halls, his hands, anywhere but Qui-Gon. What did the Jedi want? He had made his position clear on his idea of taking Obi-Wan as a Padawan. There was no words that could possibly-

"I was wrong."

Obi-Wan's eyes froze on his hands. "About what, sir?"

"Everything…" Qui-Gon fingered his lightsaber, gathering his thoughts before diving into the explanation. "Obi-Wan, when I first met you I didn't think much of it. You were young and a little withdrawn. But… there was a light about you I can't explain. I didn't notice it until a later date during one of your meditations. I assumed that is was just your force signature and dismissed any other possibilities… until your accident."

"Sir," Obi-Wan frowned. "I… I do not understand."

"Let me finish." Qui-Gon furrowed his brow before continuing, "When you fell in too deep, I was able to pull you back out because it wasn't too far and you were fighting to get out. But when I did, I had to connect with your mind… and that was when I felt your full signature. It was bright, yes, but it wasn't what I had first felt. I did not think about it until you were in the medical bay and I was on my way to my next mission. It was something I tried to meditate on repeatedly, but each time I did… I received an answer I did not believe was true or even possible."

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow, but did not interrupt. What in the Force was Master Jinn blabbing about? He just wanted to get the pain over with and move on to the best of his abilities! There was no reason to even be talking to this man! But something held him still and he continued to listen.

"I did not see you for another year after the accident. When I did I was concerned with how much self-doubt and depression you were going through. I told myself this was natural, as we had been good acquaintances for a few years and any youngling was a concern of any Jedi. I convinced myself to help you to the best of my abilities for a week… but as you know that week turned into two months.

"During one of our sessions, I felt the Force come upon me so strong, I almost passed out. It practically screamed what it had told me for the past year, shaking and scolding my stubborn nature. … That afternoon I boarded a transport that would send me to a long mission… that was extended into a year. You should remember that day."

Obi-Wan did, his memory passing in vivid flashes. He had gone back to his quarters full of hope and reassurance that the Jedi would ask him to be his Padawan- very soon. His disappointment and fear that the Jedi had left kept him from meditating for the next week- something noticed by Master Yoda and Master Windu. He can still remember his embarrassment and shame when Master Windu told him he had actually worsened over their training together, something Obi-Wan had profusely apologized. A swell of anger rose up in his chest, the want to yell at Master Jinn his hatred and his wish to never see him again. But he shoved it down and tried to find his center again. His voice shook slightly, "Y-yes, sir."

Qui-Gon frowned. Perhaps he should skip to the end of his speech and comfort the boy's fears- but a whisper from the Force warned him against it so he continued his explanation.

"That day was one of the biggest mistakes of my life."

That comment caught Obi-Wan's full surprise. "What? Why?" he asked before he could stop himself.

Qui-Gon gave a small smile, "The Force seemed to defy every step of the way. Missions were taken, travel papers misplaced, transports delayed. Finally, the Force seemed to become so angry with me it shipped me off on an extended mission where I had no time for thinking or peace… Something that I did not appreciate at all. When I returned, I was flung back into the same position I had left in, much to my frustration. The council pushed me, my old friends pushed me, and the Force pushed me. And I resisted." The Master ran his fingers through his hair. "Like the fool I am, I resisted."

"You're not a-"

"Obi-Wan, I am one of the biggest fools you will ever meet, and one of the worst hypocrites. What have I told you time and time again?"

Obi-Wan scrunched up his face, thinking. His expression cleared, "Trust in the Force."

"Yes." Qui-Gon looked out at the city again, a sorrow overtaking him. "And I did not. I resisted it. Defied it. Something no Jedi should ever do…"

The youngling didn't speak. Correction: he couldn't speak. His mind was blank with shock. A Jedi defying the force? It was unthinkable.

"And because of my defiance-"

Obi-Wan snapped his attention back to Qui-Gon.

"-you almost died."

"... What? Master Jinn, I-"

"Do you remember what I said in the hallway a few weeks ago? I was talking to Master Windu?"

Obi-Wan stiffened up and his answer was void of all emotion, "Yes."

"Lies."

The boy tilted his head slightly, his eyes squinting as if another angle would help him hear better.

Qui-Gon sighed, flicking his eyes back out the window, "All of it was lies. You have struggles in your control in the Force, all which can be overcome very easily. Meditation has always been one of your best abilities, as I can testify from spending many hours next to you during them."

Something inside Obi-Wan seemed to be healing with each word. He tilted his head to the other side, listening to this Master as he seemed to just pour out his soul to an initiate.

"You are one of the best in your age group on the prospect of dueling. Your skills are well developed and you are eager to learn. You're focused, disciplined, and can keep your emotions in check… most of the time."

Obi-Wan smiled at that, recalling the duel with Bruck.

"You've been a wonderful diplomat since the day I met you. And…" Qui-Gon paused and put a hand on Obi-Wan's knee, "I've grown to care about you very much."

"I…" Words were caught in Obi-Wan's throat as he tried to speak. "You… I… Why did you lie?"

The Master sighed, "I suppose I lost my temper at Mace and took my anger out on you… Something I regretted the moment the words left my mouth. I was waiting at your transport all morning to give you a proper apology and explanation but you never arrived. Your friend, Initiate Bant, went to find you, which she did…" Qui-Gon winced, "In a condition that I never imagined you would be in again."

Obi-Wan bit his lip, eye dropping to his hands again, "I… I didn't really think about it. I was so upset I just wanted peace. I didn't pay attention to how far I was falling in and by the time I did… I guess I didn't care. I just kept going." A single tear fell down his cheek, which was quickly wiped away, "I wonder if I should have just stayed…"

"If you had, I wouldn't be here right now." Qui-Gon smiled. "You saved my life Obi-Wan…"

"I don't know how it happened." This was the first time Obi-Wan had mentioned remembering his awakening. "In fact, I don't think I really knew what was going on. I just felt the Force tug at me and tell me to wake up because someone was in trouble. So I woke up and found the danger before my eyes were even open. Then I just… acted."

Qui-Gon smiled, "You trusted the Force. I would do well to learn from you."

"Master Jinn… May I ask you something?"

"Yes, Obi-Wan."

"Who… Who was he?"

It didn't take any explanation to understand the question. Qui-Gon's smile vanished replaced by a small scowl, his emotions rolling off in waves of sorrow, anger, and regret. Obi-Wan backed away slightly, frightened by the sudden change.

"Master Jinn, I'm sorry. You don't have to-"

"It's fine Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying to calm down, "You just caught me off guard." This was not how he wanted to tell Obi-Wan, but the situation had fallen into his lap and the Force pushed him on. "That was Xanatos."

Obi-Wan frowned at the name. It sounded familiar.

Qui-Gon noted the confusion and continued, "My last Padawan."

Then he remembered. That was the name Master Windu had brought up in the hallway during his and Qui-Gon's argument. And Master Qui-Gon had not been happy about it. "What happened to him?"

"... Xanatos is no longer a Jedi. He follows a darker path and wishes me dead."

"Why?"

"It is… difficult to explain but let's just say that Xanatos holds a grudge against me for certain actions and words that I said and did. I reported him dead to the temple because he is dead to the Jedi.

"Xanatos betrayal was very hard for me. The pain from the training bond snapping alone was enough to drive me into depression. But the fact that I did not train him well enough almost killed me. I wanted to die for sometime and several of the assignments I took could be classified by some people as suicide missions." Qui-Gon sighed before locking eyes with Obi-Wan, "He is the reason… I don't… I didn't…"

"Take Padawans." Obi-Wan finished, everything clicking in his mind like a jigsaw puzzle.

It wasn't him. Obi-Wan felt a stab of relief at the thought. It was nothing he had done. Everything had been Qui-Gon. It wasn't his Force trouble, his failure in the ring, or anything. It was just Qui-Gon. A wave of peace seemed to wash over the boy and he smiled. He would have been a Padawan if Qui-Gon had wanted it. But he didn't. And Obi-Wan being the kind and understanding boy he was, completely understood. He wouldn't push the Master- if he wasn't ready for a Padawan, then he wasn't ready. The Agri-Corps would be bearable now. Obi-Wan felt confident that he could farm happily with the knowledge that it wasn't him.

Speaking of the Agri-Corps, Obi-Wan was going to be late for his transport if he didn't wrap it up soon. He stood up quickly, startling Master Jinn. "Thank you for the explanation. You don't know how happy it makes me." His grin covered his face and his eyes twinkled with joy. "I will always remember you, Qui-Gon. I hope you'll remember me." Obi-Wan bowed. "Goodbye, Master Jinn." He turned away and began to skip down the hall to his waiting transport, leaving a befuddled Jedi behind him.

Qui-Gon didn't know what to do. Should he go after Obi-Wan or…? Was the boy still angry? That couldn't be it because Qui-Gon couldn't remember a time anyone skipped off to the Agri-Corps. Did he want to farm? That didn't seem right somehow in Qui-Gon's mind. No one ever wanted to not become a Jedi Knight… or at least not anyone he could recall. Confused, he stood up and stood in the middle of the hall, staring at the boy's shrinking form as it skipped down the corridor.

Perhaps this was his lesson in the Force. Defy it, and you lose something you could have had.

Qui-Gon frowned and felt his heart sink into his feet. Obi-Wan's face, smiling and beaming seemed to have glued itself in his mind, never to be seen again. He felt tears prick his eyes and Qui-Gon hurried in the opposite direction. It wasn't until he reached the meditation gardens and he sank in his familiar spot that he allowed them to fall. A memory returning in his mind with each drop that fell. His heart felt shattered and broken. The pain was worse than the loss of Xanatos- because it really had been his fault this time. It hadn't been Obi-Wan at all.

Qui-Gon closed his eyes and took a meditative position, trying to find balance. The wind whispered and the river swept. He tried to comfort himself. There would be other younglings and other opportunities. He had learned his mistake now and he would not repeat it. What the Force decreed, the Force decreed. He would not ignore it.

This was his punishment- seeing Obi-Wan leave without him.

He could get through this. He could do this.

Then why did he feel so empty inside?

I am REALLY tempted to update the next chapter... like, right now...

Or maybe I will pull a Rebels and say, 'LOOK AHSOKA WITH A WHITE ROPE' then end.

Review please!