A/N - It's been a little while since I've written one of these but finally found some time around my writing my other story :) Hope you enjoy!


A Broken Lineage

Right step, pivot and lunge, leap tuck and roll landing, pounce upwards into defensive position ready for an incoming laser bolt.

Qui-Gon watched scrutinisingly as Obi-Wan performed each step of the difficult kata repeatedly, moving towards perfection each time and never allowing the training bot to get past his guard. Each time the Padawan progressed through the Kata there was a minute wobble on his left leg, a second too long in the opening between moves. It would only take one misjudged second in combat, just one moment of weakness for anything and everything to go wrong.

He noted the positive actions Obi-Wan took to correct his mistakes alongside the deficiencies, his Padawan never left any of his training until it was flawless, a perfectionist. Qui-Gon admired the trait greatly recognising it's importance for a Jedi's life, Obi-Wan would train from dawn until dusk until he was ready. It certainly made Qui-Gon's life easier, instead of feeling dejected over missing a beat Obi-Wan almost always knew exactly what he was doing wrong he only needed guidance to improve the mistake and accepted it graciously.

Qui-Gon thought back to his previous apprentice's training and realised how different the pair were, Xanatos was rather arrogant and flaunted his abilities whereas Obi-Wan was humble. He did not crave for other's recognition other than his own, and occasionally Qui-Gon's. Qui-Gon did not like to praise too much, that was his own fault rather than Obi-Wan's. He had always praised Xanatos and that had only ended up feeding the boy's ego, Qui-Gon often thought back on the painful memories and wondered if perhaps he hadn't fed that ego so much then the black-haired youth would have chosen a different path.

Qui-Gon knew he shouldn't question what could have been but it was a topic he had been unable to let go, another failing of his. He would not risk damaging Obi-Wan's future in the same way, he would do what was needed to ensure his Padawan remained on the right path and Qui-Gon would do his upmost to steer the boy away from Xanatos' pitfalls. He would not see this good boy corrupted in anyway, it would break his heart.

Obi-Wan continued through the drill under the teaching and guidance of Master Drallig as Qui-Gon watched on from above, as of yet Obi-Wan was unaware of his Master's presence and Qui-Gon wanted it to remain that way. Only now when Obi-Wan was unaware of his presence could Qui-Gon see his Padawan's true performance, unburdened by the desire to make Qui-Gon proud. High above the training hall on an observatory balcony of sorts was the only place where teacher's could watch the progress of their students unimpeded.

Qui-Gon leaned forward as Obi-Wan moved onto an even more complex Kata, one which required incredible concentration and speed to avoid injury. He felt a flutter of anxiety threaten to drown him before he swept the unwanted emotion away, realising the danger's it could invoke if left to fester into feelings more akin to paternal ones. His head was what was required here, not his heart.

Qui-Gon needn't have worried Obi-Wan performed the complex moves with such grace and fluidity that the Jedi Master was sure he was being allowed a glimpse of his Padawan's future, of the perfection and power which the boy would one day wield. He watched intently as Obi-Wan sailed through the set, saber thrumming in all it's glory as the Padawan expertly deflected bolts and destroyed bot's alike. The boy didn't miss a stride, not once.

"Impressive…"

Qui-Gon almost jumped out of his skin at the remark originating from behind him, it took his mind less than a second to recognise and place the voice as non-threatening, just enough time for him to not actually draw his saber hilt. Qui-Gon was not used to being surprised. Greeting his own Master at saber point would never do, although he highly doubted the possibility of having Dooku in such a position with his Master's speed and skills. Dooku truly was one of the greatest swordsmen the order had ever known, and clearly one of the best at shielding.

"Master." His attempted cover up from the shock with a deep bow did not fool the regal man in the slightest, a raised brow indicated the man's amusement over the attempt.

Qui-Gon could now sense his Master in the force, only now he was looking at the man. Dooku had always been a master of deception to the point where only Qui-Gon could truly keep track of the man, spending a decade as his student meant Qui-Gon knew Dooku's imprint on the force like no other well perhaps not as well as Master Yoda.

He sat back in his original position as Dooku indicated for the pair to take a seat, understanding that Qui-Gon did not want his Padawan to know of his presence. Dooku's eyes glistened with something that set Qui-Gon on edge as the aristocratic man watched Obi-Wan's performance, his gaze was edged with a level of desire. Dooku had always been drawn towards promising Jedi, Qui-Gon did not like the way his old Master was staring at Obi-Wan however. Everything the man touched crumbled to ashes.

"It's been far too long." Dooku finally began as he noticeably struggled to avert his gaze from the performance down below.

Qui-Gon felt uncomfortable as the revered Jedi's gaze was now upon him, scrutinising every reaction just as he always had. His Master was the one person who could truly read anyone like a book, point out their biggest insecurities and flaws within seconds, always cutting straight for the heart.

"I apologise Master I have been exceedingly busy." Qui-Gon averted his gaze just in time to see Obi-Wan perform an acrobatic move just ever so slightly out of synch, he absently noted to focus on that in their next training session.

"Hmm…"

Qui-Gon could feel his Master's dissecting stare on the nape of his neck as he continually refused to meet the man's eye-line. They both knew it was rather more than Qui-Gon's schedule that had kept him away. Dooku sighed before turning to look upon Obi-Wan again, tactfully changing the discussion before either of them were able to say something they would come to regret. Even as the thought ran through Qui-Gon's mind he remembered something from his own apprenticeship and the lesson it taught him, Dooku never regretted a thing.

"I heard you'd taken another Padawan, I couldn't quite believe it was true." Dooku's tone had changed become lighter even as he attempted to steer the conversation back towards his own agenda. "Yet here he is…"

Again with the stare towards Obi-Wan, it was quite like watching a cougar just before it pounced upon it's prey. Qui-Gon shivered as he remembered where he had seen the look before, when he had been an initiate himself. Back when Qui-Gon was asked to be Dooku's apprentice he was honoured of course, knowing how revered the Jedi Master was but he never managed to shake the feeling he was some sort of trophy put on show and he never forgot that look.

"Why the disbelief, because of Xanatos?" Qui-Gon attempted to bring the conversation back in his direction and succeeded as Dooku whipped his gaze round at the loaded question.

"Ducrion was a tragedy." Dooku sighed, "it does not change the fact that he was trained exceptionally well, it was a pity the boy acted out more than you ever did."

Qui-Gon balked at his Master's words, how dare he belittle Xanatos' betrayal as 'acting out'. His disagreement over the statement did not go unnoticed as Dooku shook his head in annoyance.

"Come now Qui-Gon, Ducrion was far better than most Master's. He didn't swallow the Council's orders as gospel and questioned the order of things, the way of the world."

"He drew his saber against me!" Qui-Gon hissed, struggling to keep his voice lowered.

Dooku tsked and waved his hand as if the action would erase one of the many black mark's on Xanatos' record.

"He simply made a mistake."

Qui-Gon couldn't quite believe he was hearing what he was, Xanatos had turned to the dark side and here was his Master defending the action. He thought long ago that Dooku could never shock him again, it seemed he was wrong.

"It was my mistake, thinking I could ever train him to be a Jedi." He focussed on calming his racing emotions as the memories brought up unneeded anger. "He was far too quick to anger and I was blind to it throughout."

"You were far too hard on him Padawan." Dooku shook his head in disappointment.

Qui-Gon inwardly cringed at the title but held his tongue, whatever Dooku was saying now the man had been his Master and he would always respect that. Hopefully the elder Jedi would leave he and Obi-Wan alone soon, Qui-Gon had already missed too much of his Padawan's lesson. Fate it seemed was not so kind.

"I wonder when you will bring your latest prodigy to dine with me, I would very much like to converse with someone with such promise."

The gleam was back in the elder man's gaze, a twinkle bringing his usual emotionless eyes to life. It was just as Qui-Gon had always thought his Master saw Obi-Wan as a trophy. The very thought of introducing Obi-Wan to his old Master made him sick to his stomach, made him shiver involuntarily. It was not just he who thought it a bad idea, the force was blaring in every kind of warning to confirm his bad feeling over the matter. Dooku would not take refusal well, especially not as he looked so interested in Obi-Wan.

"Obi-Wan will not be meeting you." Qui-Gon resolutely spoke whilst preparing himself for the swift fury which would inevitably follow.

Dooku's head turned slowly, deadly like a snake uncoiling to strike.

"I see." Dooku spoke coldly as his burning gaze bore into Qui-Gon's own, his Master was insulted.

Qui-Gon waited patiently for the explosion to reach it's full extent, for his Master to take matter's out of proportion and strike.

"This is because of Ducrion isn't it?" Dooku spat.

Qui-Gon only sighed, of course his Master would deduce the reasoning immediately, well part of the reasoning. He had always been preceptive with his student's.

"I didn't say that." Qui-Gon slipped back into diplomat mode with ease, earning a sneer all the same as Dooku recognised the evasion and cut through it as easily as a saber through air.

"You did not have to say it Padawan. You think that I somehow put notions into his mind, you have no right to blame me for your own failings."

Dooku never raised his voice once, he didn't have to. The words cut straight through all of Qui-Gon's defences and struck at the place they both knew would hurt, the heart. Dooku knew just how much pain Xanatos' fall had caused Qui-Gon, how much he doubted himself over it. Nothing was off limits in this dispute it seemed, nothing ever was with Dooku.

"I did fail him but that is not why I won't introduce you to Obi-Wan." Dooku tsked in disbelief as he saw straight through Qui-Gon's evasion yet again. "He is very young and I do not want anyone influencing his views as of yet."

Dooku stood violently forcing his seat to sail backwards, Qui-Gon could feel the rage boiling perilously inside of Dooku as the man struggled to contain his unsavoury thoughts. Qui-Gon winced as he felt one or two and once again was reassured that his decision had been a right one, there was no way he would expose his Padawan to someone who flirted so dangerously closely to darkness.

"You do not want me influencing him." Dooku surmised coldly, Qui-Gon did not correct him.

"You cannot coddle him like a youngling Qui-Gon, the boy needs to face the harsh realities some day." Dooku attempted to calm himself as he remembered his place, realised that there many around who could probably feel his un-Jedi like rage.

"When that day comes you will meet, not before." Qui-Gon too stood to meet his Master's height, they stared at one another both resolutely in their own beliefs.

Dooku sighed as he glanced at Obi-Wan wistfully, Qui-Gon would have felt some pity for this man if he did know him as well as he did. If he knew that Dooku was not only seeing his Padawan as an accumulation of skills, somebody to parade around. Dooku had always cared what other's saw of his skill and his lineage, he was obsessed with it.

"I respectfully request you don't make contact with him without my authority." Qui-Gon pushed harder and braved the response, fully aware of the repercussions. His Master would not forget this act, he was not a forgiving man after all.

"That is your prerogative." Dooku admitted as he spun towards the exit, cloak billowing destructively in his wake.

Qui-Gon bowed deeply as the regal Jedi stopped just short of the door. "May the force be with you Master." He attempted to dowse some of the fire, repair a small part of the rift he had inadvertently formed knowing that if he faced the same choice again he would make the same decision.

Dooku remained silent as he recognised what Qui-Gon was attempting to do, the action or words had little effect on him however. Qui-Gon knew from experience that his Master's heart was cold, blocked off from his critical thinking. The man never let pity or sentimentality get in the way of business, always chiding Qui-Gon for being as compassionate as he was. Dooku had repeatedly told him that the real world was not built that way, there was suffering and hatred and most importantly betrayal, Qui-Gon would never survive long with such an open-heart. It was a matter which had caused more than one bitter arguments between them, one of many.

"Until we meet again Padawan." He eventually replied cooly before raging out of the room like a silent storm, only those who could truly feel him in the force felt the wake he left. The man was furious.

Qui-Gon breathed in deeply as he could once again relax, he removed his iron-clench from the railing and realised his arms were trembling, his skin seemed paler than usual. He closed his eyes and focussed on the one comfort that was always there, the force, and strove to re-center himself. Encounters with Dooku always served to unbalance him. If he, a Jedi Master who had decades of experience with Dooku was unbalanced then how in the force was Obi-Wan supposed to cope? It was unfair to place such a burden on the boy at such a young age. He sometimes wondered if Xanatos' long discussions with Dooku and debates over the decay of the republic had something to do with his old apprentice making the choice he did, Qui-Gon would never blame his Master for his own faults however. He would not risk such a tragedy with Obi-Wan, not when he was so pure.

His thoughts flew back to his Padawan as he realised the class had drawn to a close, he spotted Obi-Wan heading towards the shower room to clean up. Qui-Gon hadn't been able to see as much of his Padawan's training as he would have liked, he would not weep for what was lost however. Qui-Gon strode towards the exit with the intent of intercepting his Padawan after he had showered, he knew this to be Obi-Wan's final class of the day and could do with the company. To be alone with his thoughts now would only lead to brooding…

Eventually a freshly pruned Padawan appeared around the corner with a noticeable skip in his step, the sight served to bring Qui-Gon mostly out of his pensive state. Obi-Wan's joy was usually infectious. The boy noticed his Master immediately and Qui-Gon observed the crease lines appear on his forehead, his Padawan was clearly thinking through why he hadn't sensed his Master before now and why he was here.

"Master." The Padawan bowed in greeting still with the smile on his face.

"Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon responded whilst turning to leave indicating Obi-Wan to walk with him.

Qui-Gon could still feel his Master's terrible wake as he reached out into the force, the rage remained to taint what should be a pure image in the temple. He had been blindsided by the man completely and whilst Qui-Gon regretted causing more of a rift between them he knew that his actions had been right, Dooku was not a good influence on the younger generation.

"Were you watching the training?" Obi-Wan queried effectively breaking through Qui-Gon's musings.

"Bit and pieces." Qui-Gon answered truthfully.

They continued along the next corridor in thoughtful silence, neither initiating conversation for some time.

"Master are you alright? You seem rattled." Obi-Wan eventually broke the silence and looked straight into his mentor's eyes with the same compassion Qui-Gon had come to know, Obi-Wan was not only preceptive but he was caring.

"I had an unexpected meeting." Qui-Gon chose his words carefully with the intent on vagueness, knowing full well that his Padawan would deduce exactly what had happened if given too much information.

"But you're okay?" Again with the anxiety and intention to help.

Qui-Gon stopped walking and stared down at his very young Padawan, the boy had his head cocked to the side slightly which brought a smile to the Jedi Master's face. Obi-Wan looked vaguely like a pup as he stood there in clothes too big for him, drowning in cloth. As he looked upon his Padawan he knew immediately he had made the right decision, Obi-Wan was too pure and had far too much potential to be corrupted by Dooku.

As much as Qui-Gon respected his old Master he had seen what many others had not, he had seen the darkness growing inside his Master on a daily basis. Worryingly others not only didn't seem to notice, they simply believed Dooku to have progressive views. Qui-Gon knew better he had seen his Master go too far more than once, had seen what lay beneath the many layers of the man and it had terrified him. Dooku was able to control his inner fire for the most part, hence the fact that nobody knew what he was truly like. Qui-Gon dreaded the day, if it ever came, when that fire was unleashed and the darkness truly descended on the man, for that day would be the day Dooku would truly be lost.

As he stared down at his compassionate Padawan who was still patiently waiting for his answer, anxiety growing wth the silence, Qui-Gon knew there would never be a day when he would introduce his Padawan to his Master. As to do such a thing was as good as introducing Obi-Wan to the dark side itself.

"No Obi-Wan, but I will be." Obi-Wan's befuddlement only grew with the answer, compassion shining through above all as always.

Qui-Gon placed an arm around his student and smiled as they headed home, they would both be okay. Qui-Gon would see to it.


A/N - I have a follow up chapter of sorts planned I just need the time to write it!

Until next time...