The next morning Qui-Gon woke after pulling himself from a dream Obi-Wan had trapped him in. He was getting accustomed to it now as it was happening more frequently since they arrived on Ranosia. He just wished that it didn't have to be that way.

He looked across at Obi-Wan and remembered the first time he really believed something was different about him.

Five Years Earlier.

"Don't be nervous, Padawan." Qui-Gon spoke softly as he and Obi-Wan very calmly walked through a crowd of spectators to the mat in the middle of the training room. There was a tournament every year at the Temple; singles, pairs, and teams could all compete for sport. The winners always got some recognition, but it was more for fun than anything else. This would be the first year they were at the temple at the same time as the tournament. It had been difficult to convince Obi-Wan to compete, but eventually the teen had caved in. They were walking up to their first match.

"I'm not nervous." Obi-Wan said softly as he walked closely to Qui-Gon. "We're going to win." He stated surely.

"You know, it's that kind of confidence that tends to get you beat." Qui-Gon teased as he gently tugged on Obi-Wan's braid.

The teen rolled his eyes. "Not us, Master." He said simply.

Qui-Gon suddenly turned serious and looked at him. "Yes..." He said softly, thinking about how quick Obi-Wan's reflexes had always been, even for a Jedi. He thought about how easily Obi-Wan could wield a 'saber and how graceful he looked with it. He literally felt the Force flow through Obi-Wan whenever they sparred.

Obi-Wan noticed that he was being scrutinized and he looked up at Qui-Gon carefully. "Right..." He said and then came to a stop next to the mat. "Who are we sparring against?" He asked curiously.

"Master Drallig and his apprentice, Zara." The master informed as he casually glanced over at the mat and saw the other team. He smiled to them and he and Cin gave each other a nod of friendship before turning back to their respective apprentices. "Are your friends here?" He asked and watched Obi-Wan's face fall. "What?" He asked, concerned.

"I think they've been avoiding me." Obi-Wan murmured quietly so no one standing around them could hear. "I...I don't think they like me anymore." He sadly flashed his gaze up at Qui-Gon, clearly looking for approval.

Qui-Gon settled his hands on Obi-Wan's shoulders and softly kissed his forehead. "I'm sure it's nothing. Why wouldn't they like you?" He said and then squeezed and let go. He then took off his robe and motioned to the mat. "Ready?" He asked and Obi-Wan nodded as well and the two walked onto the mat together.

They walked to the middle and stood across from Cin and Zara. The four bowed to each other and then withdrew their lightsabers and stopped back to assume their positions. Qui-Gon was concerned for Obi-Wan. This was the first time he'd be on display for the temple...Everyone was going to see that he was far too advanced for his age. They already asked questions, questions Qui-Gon didn't have answers to, and he had no doubt that after today the rumors would only increase. He just hoped that they'd be positive.

"Begin." The judge announced and then there was a flurry of 'sabers as the quartet moved.

Cin, being the sabermaster, was a pretty equal match for Qui-Gon. Zara, on the other hand, was sorely unprepared for Obi-Wan. There was a gasp as Obi-Wan disarmed her and made a killing strike to her within the first minute of the duel. She was on the ground, eyes wide with shock, as Obi-Wan's lightsaber hovered over her throat.

Qui-Gon's attention was briefly on his apprentice, so Drallig managed to knock him down and make his own killing strike. Qui-Gon would be embarrassed if it were anyone other than Drallig. He and Zara slipped off the mat as Obi-Wan and Cin stood off. Qui-Gon could see Cin try to size Obi-Wan up. Clearly he hadn't expected Obi-Wan to so easily disarm Zara - she may be young, but she was the sabermaster's apprentice. As for Obi-Wan, the teen looked implacably calm.

Cin moved first, darting to Obi-Wan's right and swept his saber down towards Obi-Wan's side. Qui-Gon smiled as Obi-Wan flipped into the air and over Cin gracefully. Obi-Wan, predicting Cin to swipe back over to him, ducked and rolled to the man's side. A swift kick to the back of Cin's knee and the man went down, but before OBi-Wan landed a strike the man held up his saber and blocked the move.

Cin recovered and pushed Obi-Wan back. Qui-Gon then saw a very common tactic among masters whenever they sparred with apprentices. Cin ran through several katas, testing Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon shook his head, knowing that Cin wasn't going to find Obi-Wan's threshold, and would probably continue to underestimate him until Obi-Wan made his strike.

It happened five minutes in. Obi-Wan did one of his fancy flips, and spun so quickly that Cin momentarily lost track of his movements. Before he could recover Obi-Wan struck, knocked Cin down and placed the tip of his saber on Cin's back. When the strike was made everyone silenced. A padawan had just beaten the sabermaster? Not only beaten him, but soundly, confidently.

Obi-Wan deactivated his lightsaber and stepped back. He reached a hand down to help Cin up and then glanced around the room. Qui-Gon watched the panic set in as the murmuring began. It didn't help that Cin stepped closer to him and began bombarding him with questions. Several other masters approached Qui-Gon and asked how he had taught Obi-Wan all of that. The only thing was...He hadn't.

He started working his way closer to Obi-Wan as the crowd began closing around them, forgetting about the next match in the aftermath of Obi-Wan's victory. Qui-Gon pushed his way through and finally managed to grab Obi-Wan's wrist and pulled him free. "We have to go." He announced, but it didn't help clear any space for them. Qui-Gon groaned and simply pushed his way through. He didn't stop until they were safe in a lift heading back up to their room. Obi-Wan had his arms folded cross his chest insecurely and looked as if he wanted to disappear.

Qui-Gon frowned and looked out over the city. He wished he had taught Obi-Wan everything...But as soon as he handed the boy a lightsaber he'd just taken off. Sure, Qui-Gon had some advice every once in a while, but that was mostly because Obi-Wan was constantly growing and having to readjust to his body. The knowledge was there. Just like in his academics. Something was different about Obi-Wan...He just wished he knew what.

"Mmm…Master?" Obi-Wan murmured pulling Qui-Gon from his memories. The teen was sitting up on the edge of his bed and rubbing sleep from his eyes. "Were you staring at me?" He asked with a yawn.

Qui-Gon stiffened and then stood and stretched. "I was just thinking, Padawan." He answered honestly and then smiled softly as Obi-Wan took out the river stone and gently rolled it in his hands. He was glad Obi-Wan had it as a source of comfort. "We should hurry, Obi-Wan. The sun's already risen and they'll begin digging soon. Then the entire site will be destroyed. We have to get M'Rina and go immediately. We need to see what is underneath and what the energy collectors are for."

Obi-Wan nodded obediently and immediately rose, slipping the rock back under his tunic. They quickly collected their things and grabbed some food from the kitchen and went to M'Rin'a home. They crossed through the capital's winding roads and arrived at M'Rina's swiftly. Obi-Wan knocked on her door swiftly and a moment later M'Rina answered, looking a little surprised that they were there.

"We need to go back to the main site." Qui-Gon said and M'Rina looked between them both.

"Ok. But I need to go to the University. I have to speak to the board to renew my grant so Bron can't arrest me." She said and they both nodded and she quickly ushered them inside. "Let me just collect some notes." The young woman added before disappearing behind a door and they could hear some rummaging around.

Looking around the small home the Jedi found it wasn't that different from Venik's office. It was cluttered with relics and parchments. M'Rina clearly took her research seriously. Not feeling as if they were snooping, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan innocently rifled through some parchments. Most of them were etchings of carvings from sites and Qui-Gon looked over at his Padawan. "What do they say? Anything of worth?" He asked and Obi-Wan shook his head.

"Not particularly. Most of them are bureaucratic in nature. This many animals sold to here, this many barrels of wine transferred here…" Obi-Wan shrugged and shook his head.

"M'Rina!" Qui-Gon called as he continued looking through the parchments and giving Obi-Wan anything that might look important. "Where did these etchings come from?"

"Oh! Ummm…Tablets found at the main site mostly. Some of them came from the outlying sites, but not many." M'Rina called back through the door before opening it. She had changed and now had a leather bag across her shoulders, filled with parchments. Venik's notebook was clutched in one hand to her chest. "Why?" She asked glancing at them, but clearly not bothered by them looking over anything.

"Curiosity." Obi-Wan answered.

"Is there anything interesting in there? I haven't had the time to look over them and you'd be much faster than I would."

"No…Nothing." Obi-Wan said apologetically.

M'Rina shrugged. "I've been meaning to ask you." She started as she looked up between the two. "What if you go to a planet that isn't full of humans?" She asked curiously as she grabbed a few more parchments, rolled them up, and put them in her bag.

"Well I suppose that depends." Qui-Gon started and then suddenly held out a small pottery fragment that M'Rina motioned for. "If the planet is technologically advanced there is little concern as they are aware they are not the only species in the galaxy. If not, as in the case of your planet, we would leave and hope no one saw us."

"What if they did?" She asked as she waved them out of her house, apparently getting everything she needed. "What if they build some shrine to you because they think you're some kind of god or something? What if…"

"…Or! What if they start rioting and mobs form trying to hunt down these mysterious other worldly visitors, but because you aren't there to be found, they end up destroying each other and their entire planet just erupts into massive war and everyone dies?"

By the time they approached the university M'Rina's supposed scenarios grew more and more unlikely. They drew amused smiled from the Jedi as they walked behind her.

They turned down the last road then saw the university. They also saw Red Guards stationed around it every few feet. They all came to an abrupt halt and Qui-Gon tried to grab M'Rina and pull her back, but it was too late, a guard already saw her.

"There! There!" The guard pointed and even as they tried to run they were surrounded and M'Rina was grabbed by one of the guards.

Obi-Wan went to free her but stopped with a shake of Qui-Gon's head. They didn't need to cause a bigger scene. He should have known they'd try to barricade the university. Bron was intent on capturing M'Rina, he seemed to get some kind of pleasure from it, of course the captain would wait for her here. M'Rina had to get inside to get her grant renewed so she had to show up eventually.

He cursed himself for feeling so foolish and for not sensing the danger before. However, he'd been distracted by M'Rina's ramblings.

They remained in a standoff, with M'Rina unsuccessfully trying to break free. They took her pack from her and then tugged the notebook away as well and carelessly threw it on the ground. "No!" M'Rina sounded generally upset, and Qui-Gon understood. It was the only thing she had of her mentor.

Everything stilled as Bron approached. He had a proud grin on his face and he slowly looked down at M'Rina. "You're mine, little girl." He taunted and then motioned the guards to take her away.

"She was on her way to renew her grant. Surely you can find a little leniency." Qui-Gon tried to reason with the captain, even though he knew it was probably futile. However, he knew he needed to try.

Bron turned and looked at him and then Obi-Wan. He tightened his gaze and then folded his arms over his chest. "You both trespassed on Imperial property. Perhaps I should take you into custody as well." He said coldly.

Qui-Gon had dethroned Tyrants. He had killed genocidal maniacs. He had undone countless coups and rebellions. He could break this man like a twig. But it wouldn't do anything to help their situation. He stepped back and Bron gave a triumphant smirk and then turned. He paused to bend and pick up M'Rina's notebook and then continued on his way.

Obi-Wan stepped up to his side and looked up at him. "Master, we're not just going to let him arrest her are we? I mean…I know we can go to the site without her, but it's not right." Obi-Wan insisted.

Qui-Gon continued watching the group of guards until they were out of sight and then turned to his student. "Of course not. We'll get her out." He glanced around and then grabbed Obi-Wan's sleeve and tugged him along. "We have to find Kiern."

After asking Alia, regretfully, where Kiern lived, they jogged through the city quickly. They didn't bother with decorum and simply strode into Kiern's home. It was large and somewhat ostentatious. Clearly his criminal activities paid off well.

"Kiern!" Qui-Gon called, his voice echoing in the home. A moment later the man appeared, looking angry.

"What, in the name of the Gods, made you think you had the right to simply barge into my house?" He demanded. He grabbed Qui-Gon's shoulder and started trying to pull the man to the door. However, Qui-Gon held his ground and Kiern pulled up short, unable to move him. Kiern looked a little surprised. "Well, you're stronger than you look, Old Man." He muttered and released him

"M'Rina's been arrested." Qui-Gon informed and Kiern stilled and looked at him intently. Able to anticipate Kiern's questions Qui-Gon continued. "The person we've been helping was M'Rina. We only just recently realized the two of you know each other. She was going to the university to renew her grant and Bron-."

"Bron?! Bron has her!?" Kiern seemed enraged at the idea. His nostrils flared and his pupils dilated. Without another word Kiern grabbed a dagger from beneath a table and went out the door.

"Wait! We need to be wise." Qui-Gon said as he and Obi-Wan followed after him.

"There isn't time for that!" Kiern insisted as he began running. Qui-Gon frowned deeply and grabbed Kiern to stop him.

"Explain!" He demanded.

"Bron is psychotic! You figure it out!" Kiern growled and then started running again. This time neither Jedi tried to stop him and instead ran after him.

Kiern led them to the Imperial Sector, but instead of going to the holding cells Kiern took them to the same building they went to before to get their false papers. Kiern knocked out the red guard at the door with a hit to the head and barged in and down the halls to his friend.

Qui-Gon had a difficult time reconciling Kiern's determination with what he previously thought of the man; that he was ambivalent to anything not about him. However, when he saw the fear and anger in Kiern's face, it was very much about helping M'Rina, not him. Perhaps…Kiern could be selfless for the right person.

Kiern pushed his way through the crowded building and bolted into Kobal's office. The plump man looked shocked and slightly frightened. It wasn't surprising as Kiern looked like he was on a rampage. He opened his mouth to ask what was going on but Kiern cut him off.

"Bron has Hopper." Kiern murmured and Kobal looked dismayed. He then quickly stood.

"Wait here."

Feedback? Still enjoying it? Hate what's happening? Lemme know!

Kungfukittykat: I'm really glad you're liking everything, and thanks for letting me know. And yeah, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan's relationship has changed a LOT over the past decade. They're much more like father and son now (which I love writing).

Thanks for the review!

ErinKenobi2893: It's intentional. But I promise, almost everything will be answered by the end...The important things will, at least. There are smaller things handled in the final installment, but they aren't what you're burning to know. Everything you asked will be answered, and soon, actually. So just hold on a bit longer.

book girl fan: Thank you! I thought I was the only one who felt that way...It is just not a good combination. And way to pick up on the subtext - Obi-Wan is feeling relieved, but since this is mostly from Qui-Gon's point of view I didn't explicitly say it. Also, that's just Obi-Wan's personality - at least how I write him.

I'm glad you approve of Kiern and M'Rina. As for Lyle, he still has some part to play so...We'll just have to see.