Kamai6 – Not over yet – still plenty of story to tell.

Lightsaber Dancer – Thanks for reading.

pronker – yes, to hear of his imminent demise was news for Xanatos. It remains to be seen how this will affect things. And you have to admit that even evil nasty Xan from JA wasn't as Dark side as a Sith.

Violet Starrider – Thanks for reading and adding my story.

Evarne – I really do enjoy getting inside my characters' heads.

sakura-star-63 – One thing I have loved about this fic is the contrast between teenaged Obi-Wan and Jedi master Obi-Wan.

Hi Hikari No Kaze – I think Qui-gon had to notice something with Obi dropping his shields. As for Xan turning Light, maybe he took a step the other direction, but definitely don't consider him a lightsider again.

Natalie Thropp – Still plenty of story left to tell.

Chapter 10

Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi kneeled down in the middle of the quarters belonging to Qui-Gon and young Obi-Wan, immersed in the Force and desperately trying to make sense of the last few hours. Anakin had retreated to the hangar with the excuse of finishing repairs on their ship. It was more likely his apprentice needed the release and relaxation that such tedium seemed to bring him.

Obi-Wan heard the door open. A smile broke out across his face. It occurred to him that he was probably the only Jedi to have ever been given the opportunity to sense his own presence in the Force. He opened his eyes to see his young self perched on the sleepcouch carefully watching him. His eyes were automatically drawn to the small braid that dangled over the boy's shoulder.

"So, you are a padawan now."

The boy nodded, still eyeing the Jedi master suspiciously. "And you are … me?"

"I am what you become after twenty years of training and experiences," Obi-Wan answered.

The boy's brows furrowed in confusion before he shook his head. "Great, I don't give straight answers, just like Master Yoda, when I grow up."

Obi-Wan let out a chuckle before saying, "Yes, I am Obi-Wan Kenobi."

"And Anakin is my … your … apprentice?"

"Yes."

The boy shrugged, a wide grin splitting his face. "I like him."

"Just remember that you said that twenty years from now." Obi-Wan stretched his legs out in front of him while studying the boy. Curiosity filled the eyes he saw in the mirror every day. "You must have many questions."

"Just a few days ago, I was going to Agricorps. Now … well." The boy shrugged. "Master Qui-Gon said you may not answer any of my questions."

"There is no harm in asking," Obi-Wan said.

"You left me on the mining platform, knowing I was hurt, knowing how I felt," the boy accused.

"Ah. I am sorry for that. I made sure you were safe – Anakin was watching over you. I wasn't sure how Xanatos would respond if we rescued you right away. You at least learned a lot, didn't you? Most importantly, you learned what ionite was."

"Yeah, I did," the Jedi padawan said, nodding. "Master Qui-Gon and I are leaving on a mission, but I guess you already knew that."

"In some ways, I wish that I was just beginning this journey again," the Jedi master said warmly. "I know it is not one of your strengths now, but be patient with him."

"Master Qui-Gon?"

"Yes. He's been through a lot and is going to need time to get used to you being around."

"I will," the boy said, nodding emphatically.

The door slid open again, the tall form of Qui-Gon stepping inside. He looked back and forth between the two occupants of the room, twin pairs of jeweled eyes looking up expectantly. His gaze settled on the younger of the two. "Will you give us a moment, Padawan?"

"Yes, Master," the boy said, beaming as he slipped from the room.

Qui-Gon brushed against his new apprentice's mind. Obi-Wan was surprised to feel the touch along the bond that had been severed on Naboo. He took a deep breath to still a sudden rush of emotion.

"What are your and Anakin's plans?" Qui-Gon asked, taking the place his apprentice had just vacated.

"The sensors on our ship still detect the anomaly we believe brought us here," Obi-Wan answered. "We are hoping if we go back through, it will send us home."

"I see." Qui-Gon's face scrunched up in a way that Obi-Wan recalled always happened when the Jedi master didn't quite grasp something or believe it would work. "If that plan fails, contact me."

"We will."

Silence stretched between the pair. It was Qui-Gon who finally spoke.

"I don't understand how I almost gave up the opportunity to train that boy and mold him into the Jedi master I have worked with over the past couple of days."

"Be prepared. The task won't be easy." Obi-Wan chuckled. "I am headstrong, reckless – and if you ask my apprentice, you didn't manage to train it out of me." He paused, his thoughts going to the rocky beginning their partnership had. His chest began to ache and he glanced away. "I won't lie. We manage to hurt each other, but we also bring each other immense joy."

"You lose me along the way."

It was a statement, not a question. Obi-Wan looked up sharply, carefully arranging his expression to not further betray his emotions.

"To even have the chance to feel your presence again is something I cherish," Obi-Wan whispered. "There is so much I want to say, but I think Anakin and I have already done enough damage to our timeline."

"You are very preoccupied with the past and the future …"

"Something we never saw eye to eye on, I assure you." Obi-Wan smiled fondly. "Live in the moment – that's what you always told me. But like I said, I was a headstrong pupil."

"Tell me I taught you to at least trust in the Force. Have you stopped to consider why it may have brought you and Anakin here? There is a reason for everything."

Obi-Wan knew he needed to leave before his resolve broke and he confessed everything that was burning in his soul - Melida-Daan, Xanatos' death, Tahl, Naboo, the Sith. "I should go," he said, quickly getting to his feet. He had just made it to the door, when Qui-Gon spoke again.

"Padawan."

The name called in gentle baritone made him pause, shaky on his feet.

"Did I never teach you that mourning was acceptable?"

Obi-Wan drew in another deep breath, fighting against a tight feeling in his throat. "Am I that transparent?" he asked, half-laughing.

"I thought it was strange how easily you trusted me and seemed so comfortable in my company. Whether you realized it or not, your guard was down with me from the moment we met. When I contacted Master Yoda and he said that there was no padawan by the name of Anakin Skywalker, I began to observe and put the pieces together - your comfort around me, your uncanny knowledge of the events happening Bandomeer, the way you wear the Force."

"I was never good at hiding anything from you."

"You haven't answered. Did you allow yourself to grieve?"

"Alone, in my own way, yes," Obi-Wan murmured. "But, I had Anakin to think about."

Obi-Wan slid down to the ground, back resting against the door, and pulled his knees close to his chest. The ache in his chest grew as Qui-Gon sat down beside him.

"Do you want to talk about it?" The softly spoken question made Obi-Wan feel like he was sixteen years old again, and Qui-Gon was asking if he wanted to debrief a particularly trying assignment.

"The mission was to a planet called Naboo." He paused, his stomach knotting at even letting that small piece of information slip.

"Go on. That's a good start." The Jedi master's lips twisted into a smile as he glanced around the room. "The universe hasn't collapsed in on itself."

"Our adversary was very skilled, very formidable. We were both tiring in the fight. My connection to the Force was waning. I fell and couldn't catch up to you. We were separated by a force field. I watched, completely helpless, as you were wounded. You died in my arms."

It was a sterile recount, devoid of the Sith, of his giving into anger, dangling for his life, and of Anakin, and the wedge one small boy had driven between them. Obi-Wan paused to wonder for the first time how his younger self would react upon seeing Anakin? It was obvious the boy was fond of his future apprentice. Would it further alter the events on Naboo? So much had been changed already. He knew with certainty that he would not be able to live with himself if he didn't say the words that his heart had been bursting to say from the moment he had seen a very alive Qui-Gon set foot on Bandomeer.

"Wait for me, Master."

It bubbled out freely, and Obi-Wan clapped his hand over his mouth as though the physical action could prevent him from divulging anything else.

"What?"

"Don't run ahead of me," Obi-Wan said firmly, looking straight into Qui-Gon's eyes. "You will understand when the time comes."

"Okay," Qui-Gon said.

"I need to go. Anakin will have the ship ready soon, and we seem …" Obi-Wan slowly shook his head. "We seem bent on changing the past the longer we stay. I have no idea what to expect if we make it back."

"May the Force be with you, Master Kenobi."

"And with you as well, Master Jinn."

Obi-Wan bowed before he tore himself away, pushing past the door. He was well aware that Qui-Gon's watchful gaze lingered on him as he made his way down the hallway.