A/N: A new character will be introduced in this chapter. Just wanted to give you all a heads up. :)

Chapter 25

"Master?"

The low tone filtered through the fog of sleep that held the Jedi within its grip. Forcing himself to rise from the slumber he was floating in, Obi-Wan reached over to the bedside table and turned the clock so he could see the time, moaning slightly at the early hour. He looked over at the figure standing near the door, a query in his eyes. Knowing the question that would be asked, Anakin hurriedly assured him that he was fine before sitting himself on the floor beside the sleep couch. Obi-Wan pushed himself up; bending his arm at the elbow and resting his head on his hand, he prodded his padawan, a yawn accompanying his words, "What is it?"

Anakin fidgeted a bit before responding, "I could sense that you were upset earlier."

He should have known the boy would pick up on his discomfort when Palpatine tried to pull him into conversation. Obi-Wan gazed at his younger brother trying to determine how much he should tell. "Anakin, we've known one another for quite a while now. We know a great deal about each other, but we don't know everything. There is something about myself that I haven't told you, and I need you to trust that when I am ready I will confide in you."

Anakin nodded but didn't seem satisfied with the assurance. "I spoke with Chancellor Palpatine this evening and he seemed concerned about you. He asked me to speak with you, he said cared about your well-being."

Obi-Wan sat up and slid to the floor next to his apprentice, startling the teenager. "Anakin, I need you to promise me," once he knew he had the padawan's undivided attention, he continued, "Promise me that you will have nothing to do with Palpatine, and that you will not speak of Qui-Gon's survival to anyone."

Anakin could hear the urgency in his brother's voice with this request. Nodding his acceptance and yet completely confused by the plea, he gave his word. Obi-Wan knew that his padawan was only agreeing based solely on the trust they had built over the years. Needing to reaffirm that trust, he added, "I will tell you the reasons behind this at a later time."

"I know you will. You've never let me down before."

X

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon stood patiently in the waiting area outside the Council chambers. Anakin had been in their company for the past five hours and neither had heard anything as to the outcome of their findings. They knew that there would be a discussion concerning the results before they would be allowed access, but they had at least hoped for periodic updates.

"You've trained him well, Obi-Wan, he'll be fine."

The former Jedi didn't answer, his eyes remaining fixed on something beyond the windowpane. Concerned, Qui-Gon approached him. "Is everything all right?"

"The Council is shielding you aren't they? That's why Palpatine hasn't figured it out yet."

"Yes. They're convinced that my life is still in danger; although, I think being within these walls would be disguise enough with all the other force signatures covering mine."

"He's not one to give up." Obi-Wan turned toward his former mentor. "He never finished what he started."

Qui-Gon's gaze turned fierce and protective. "And like I told you before, if he wants a novice of his own, he'll have to go elsewhere because he's not getting my apprentice."

With a soft smile Obi-Wan turned back toward the window. "I'm no longer your apprentice, Qui-Gon."

"Until you complete the training that Yoda outlined young one, you are; unofficially of course, as you have been Knighted." Qui-Gon crossed his arms over his chest, a clear signal that he refused to budge on this issue.

"He once told me that you were keeping something important from me. I didn't believe him at the time because you had always told me how much honesty meant to you and that you would always tell me the truth."

Qui-Gon took a deep breath. "But…"

"I feel like there's something I should know only I can't fit the pieces together. It's as if there's one missing." Obi-Wan met the Jedi's gaze. "You aren't keeping that piece from me, are you?"

Familiarity teased Qui-Gon's senses. He stepped closer to the younger man. "I can't believe I didn't see this before. Can't you sense what's happening?"

Obi-Wan's brow furrowed and he stepped back. "Nothing's happening."

"The small amount of contact that he's had with you has reawakened the small shrouds of doubt he so carefully planted to make you question those closest to you. Don't let him do this again."

Obi-Wan's eyes snapped up to meet Qui-Gon's. When he answered, his tone was cool and hard. "You think so little of me that I would allow him to influence me again?" He shook his head, but before he could add anything further the Council doors opened and Master Windu stepped out. Sensing the tension surrounding the younger of the two, he asked, "Is there a problem?"

Qui-Gon's gaze remained on Obi-Wan's. "No, everything's fine."

"Your presence is requested in chambers."

Stepping in line behind his former padawan, Qui-Gon's worry began to escalate as he followed the younger man into the Council room.

Obi-Wan took his place next to Anakin while Qui-Gon remained near the doors. "Very well your padawan has done, Obi-Wan. His skills, both in the force and with a lightsaber, are beyond his age mates. Most of his academics are on level with the other students minus one or two subjects. There are no concerns within us as to his allegiance. The Order would like to offer you both a place within our ranks."

Obi-Wan stepped forward. "Thank you, Masters. But with all due respect, you may want to wait to extend that offer until after you've heard our conditions."

Mace's eyes narrowed slightly. Obi-Wan had passed their evaluation, but only just in his view. The young man's belief system, the core values he had learned as a Jedi were now tangled with real world views. The Councilor had questioned the young man endlessly in regard to his loyalty and the trial he had gone through as a padawan, wanting to know how his life outside the order had affected those past behaviors without the consistent support of his Jedi brethren and the laws that governed their society.

Obi-Wan had humbly accepted his criticism, citing that no being was perfect and even those within these walls could stumble and fall, support system or not. It was up to each to reach out to that support and the responsibility of the Order to make sure that the support being offered was not judgmental in whom it was given to or in the reasons it was sought. Proof being his situation as a padawan. Because of his mistake on Melida/Daan, he had been carefully watched, feeling more like a prisoner in the home he had been raised in than part of the family that he was supposed to have been. Because of this, he had accepted the hand that reached out to him: concern and unconditional acceptance had been offered and he had taken it like someone lost at sea without a lifeline to keep him from drowning.

The clearing of a throat caused Mace to return to the meeting at hand, his musings put on hold for the time being.

"Anakin wasn't raised within the Order nor was he raised to live by the Jedi Code. Though I have taught him the traditions and the rules of the Jedi, I do not expect him to blindly follow them. I have learned during my time away that it's okay to question aspects of my upbringing and to even defy some of the rules that I lived by for the whole of my life. If we are to accept your invitation, you must understand that we will not be placed or forced into your molds. The Order will have to adjust to us, not the other way around." As Obi-Wan looked around at each Council member, he saw varying degrees of surprise and discord. A few even wore expressions of thoughtfulness, as if the idea had some merit. "There's one other thing, we will not be staying on Coruscant. We have discussed this at length and we have decided to return to Tatooine."

A few gasps caught Obi-Wan's attention and he looked around the circular display of masters. Out of everything he had told them, this was the one statement that got a reaction? Confused at their response, his gaze found and rested on Yoda. "Discuss with you, Qui-Gon has, our compromise?"

Obi-Wan walked over and knelt before the small council member placing himself at his level. He held a high level of respect for this master, even when at odds. "Yes Master he has, and I have accepted on both of our behalf."

Yoda smiled. "To Tatooine you will return, but a Jedi, you will both always be. Different you have always been, young one, even when you didn't know it. Work out a compromise we will."

Rising from his position, Obi-Wan stepped back beside his padawan. Both bowed in respect before leaving the Council chambers. Once outside the doors, Anakin turned to Qui-Gon. "You're really coming back with us?" he asked.

"Yes, for the time it takes for Obi-Wan to complete his training and after that who knows."

Anakin grinned. "I'm going to tell mom the good news."

Obi-Wan smiled at the youth. "Go ahead, I'll be there shortly."

The two men walked side by side through the corridor on their way to Qui-Gon's quarters. "I'm proud of you. You stated your stipulations and held your ground while doing so."

"I've learned that walking in the dark doesn't do anyone any good. There comes a time when one has to turn on the lights and see for himself what he's been living with. Only then can he begin to make changes that work for him."

Qui-Gon glanced at him from the corner of his eye. "I guess I did teach you how to be a rogue after all."

Obi-Wan grinned. "Only I do it with more class."

X

They sat in Qui-Gon's living quarters speaking of what had occurred many years prior. Something they had never really discussed at length. Obi-Wan's frustration at the situation was apparent, as was Qui-Gon's at his lack of ability to make the young man understand.

"I'm not naïve. I would know if it were happening again."

"It's subtle, padawan. These things don't happen overnight. He's looking for a way back into your mind and if you misstep even once, he'll have it."

"My shields were up; he didn't so much as find a fracture."

"He complemented you on your shielding didn't he?"

Obi-Wan's brow twitched in question. "Where is this going?"

Qui-Gon's smile was shadowed with past sorrow. "I didn't teach you how to disappear, Obi-Wan. I taught you how to disguise your presence, how to hide, not how to become a void."

At Obi-Wan's questioning look, he continued, "He was congratulating himself for finding someone strong enough to put his teachings into practice."

Obi-Wan paced the living area. Stopping at the shelving unit next to the door, he looked over the photos. He picked up the holo of them on Alderaan when he was sixteen. "I have to get out of here. I never should have come back."

"We can leave this evening if you wish," Qui-Gon offered, anxious to get the young man away from the capital.

Obi-Wan nodded his consent, his eyes still lingering on the various photos of his youth.

X

Qui-Gon stood outside Yoda's apartment awaiting entry. He had busied himself with making arrangements for transport back to Tatooine as well as cleaning his apartment and packing everything he would need for an extended stay. Before departure he had one final thing to do, speak with Master Yoda.

"Ready are you?" The Jedi asked from the open doorway, drawing Qui-Gon from his thoughts.

"Almost. The shuttle will be prepped and ready in half an hour."

"An extended mission this will be for you, padawan. Take care with it you should."

"I understand, Master. There is one matter of importance I think we should discuss."

When Yoda's ears elevated slightly in interest, Qui-Gon continued, "He needs to know the truth."

Yoda closed his eyes and sought the Force's direction. Upon finding his answer, he spoke, "When return to Tatooine, tell him if you wish. But ready he must be."

Qui-Gon nodded in understanding. "You should have told me the truth long before you did, Master. It would have saved us both much grief."

"Not prepared were you to know. Equipped you were not to handle the situation."

X

The homestead was the most beautiful site Obi-Wan thought he had ever seen. Bringing the old speeder to a stop, he parked a few feet from the house under an awning he and Anakin had put up a few years prior. Anakin hurried from the vehicle and helped Shmi as she opened the door to get out. She and Cliegg had chosen to marry on their home planet and had many arrangements to make before the big day that would be held in two weeks time.

Shmi smiled at their humble dwellings as she stood within the doorway looking around. Obi-Wan and Anakin grabbed their bags and followed her in. Stopping behind her, Obi-Wan heard her say, "It's good to be home." He couldn't agree more. He had missed his friends at the Temple and the many masters that had had a hand in his upbringing, but he couldn't help but feel the peacefulness of this barren planet and the homelike quality that he, Anakin, and then Shmi had given to their little farm. Anakin went out to check the vaporators while Shmi began removing sheets from the furniture, Obi-Wan began to unpack, and Qui-Gon stood back so not to be in the way. The hovel only held three bedrooms so Qui-Gon would be forced to sleep on the sofa until the wedding when Shmi would then move into her new home.

The house was dusted, swept, and ready to clutter, meaning that they had cleaned all day just so they could prepare dinner and make a mess. Anakin returned from his chores and informed them that the vaporators were in good working order. Shmi and Qui-Gon prepared last meal and Obi-Wan went off by himself to the outdoors to sit beneath Tatooine's night sky. Looking up, he saw the billions of twinkling lights all around him and breathed a deep sigh of contentment. It was peaceful here, things were clear.

He could feel Qui-Gon's presence within his mind, not intrusive, but there if he should need to call upon it. His family was safe, his mentor was alive, and they were home. Their time on Coruscant hadn't been as enjoyable as he had hoped it would have been. The thought of a possible encounter with Palpatine hadn't crossed his mind when he had made the decision to go. Being in the politician's office had brought back memories he'd wished had stayed dormant. He could feel the darkness beckoning, could sense the Senator's tentative probes against his shields. Now that they were in the outer rim the few meetings he had had with the representative could now be laid to rest; he could forget the man and his conniving ways and go back to living out his life with the makeshift family that had accepted him with no quandary of what his past held.

Then another thought came to him, he had said goodbye to everyone but Siri; she was due to return from her mission next week. He left word with Master Yoda requesting that she be told of their whereabouts in case she wished to contact him, but he wasn't going to hold his breath.

He would turn thirty-one next week. He sighed at the thought of the last party Anakin had thrown for him. They had visited one of the small restaurants in town and Anakin trying to be on his best behavior in the place had over done the saint act and somehow offended someone which placed Obi-Wan in the position of having to defend his little brother. Needless to say, they both left the establishment with shiners upon their otherwise handsome features. Upon seeing Shmi the next morning, they had both equally shared in a long lecture of why it wasn't good to fight. He smiled at the thought and rubbed a hand over his eyes; if he had any say in the matter, he would not be repeating that this cycle.

Qui-Gon watched his apprentice from the doorway of the house. Obi-Wan sat with his knees pulled close to his chest, his arms encircling them, his head tilted toward the sky and his eyes roaming over the vastness of space. He remembered when they would be on missions, how Obi-Wan would sit in the cockpit and watch the endless lines of hyperspace as the travel was so swift that the stars blurred into single strands as they passed them by. The boy had always been fascinated by what lie beyond the atmosphere of whatever planet they happened to be on. And although he was an excellent pilot, he was always more eager for someone else to fly leaving him free to enjoy the stars.

Remembering what time of year it was, Qui-Gon smiled. Obi-Wan's naming day was soon approaching and this was one that he would not miss.

X

The next morning Owen, Beru, and her older sister arrived at the Skywalker/Kenobi homestead. Shmi went out to greet them. The girls had requested to be allowed to make Shmi's dress for the wedding; she had been so overwhelmed by the offer (the elder sibling was an excellent seamstress) that she couldn't say no.

Upon entering the house, Shmi cleared her throat and Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon both turned with glasses raised to their mouths taking in large gulps of water. Seeing that they had company, Obi-Wan quickly put the cup down and disappeared into the other room to grab a tunic. Qui-Gon was somewhat sweaty from their workout, but fully dressed though his tunic was damp in various places and sticking to his chest and back. He placed his cup on the counter and offered a hand to the visitors. They shook it eagerly and Shmi made introductions.

"This is Beru and Khloe Whitesun. Girls, this is Je-"

"Qui-Gon Jinn," he interrupted her. Passing a glance over at Shmi, he nodded slightly as she dipped her head in understanding. Here he just wanted to be known as Qui-Gon, not Jedi Master Jinn.

"Hello, Mr. Jinn. I'm Owen's friend," Beru said. "And this is my sister Khloe, though she doesn't get out much."

Khloe elbowed Beru in the side and clarified her sister's meaning, "Since I'm the oldest, it's my responsibility to help work our farm so I don't have a lot of free time to visit the neighbors. My parents are making an exception for this occasion."

Qui-Gon smiled in understanding. He turned when he heard a noise from behind him. Obi-Wan walked into the kitchen wearing the tunic he had discarded earlier. Shmi took his hand and pulled him forward. "Obi-Wan, you already know Beru." He smiled and nodded in greeting. "This is her sister Khloe."

Khloe blushed at Shmi's not so subtle introduction as she now knew what the older woman had in mind. She held out her hand in greeting and Obi-Wan did the same. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Milady." He said using his most respective manners. Qui-Gon filled his glass and took another long drink to hide the grin that tried to escape.

"I believe Khloe is only a couple years younger than you are Obi-Wan," Shmi continued.

Feeling nervous, Khloe clarified the information though a little embarrassed, "I'll be thirty standard in a few months."

Finally catching wind of what was happening, Obi-Wan cleared his throat. "I guess you have a lot of work to do if my mother is going to be the bell of the ball." He grinned when Shmi tried to smack his arm and missed. Obi-Wan backed into Qui-Gon, stopping abruptly. Taking hold of the young mans upper arms Qui-Gon pushed him forward and toward the door.

"We need to finish up with some training; we'll see you at lunch."

Making it past the girls and out the door, Obi-Wan breathed a sigh of relief and yet felt the flush of embarrassment coloring his cheeks. Qui-Gon grinned, "She wasn't very subtle about that was she?"

"No, she wasn't. And the sad part is that I don't think Khloe knew it was coming either."

Qui-Gon studied the younger man as Obi-Wan stood looking toward the house. "You are free to pursue a relationship, padawan, if that is what you choose. I know it would be overlooked. Since you aren't living on Coruscant or at the Temple it isn't as if anyone else is going to question the matter."

Obi-Wan shook his head and looked to his mentor. "I tried my hand in that area before and nothing became of it."

"Your heart still belongs to her doesn't it?"

Obi-Wan shrugged. "Doesn't matter. She lives by a set of rules that I no longer go by and I go by an amended set that she doesn't believe in. It wouldn't work."

"And the young lady in the house? It is possible to learn to love again after you've suffered a loss."

"Siri isn't dead master; she just isn't available."

"Just think about it, padawan. Talk to Khloe, maybe you'll make a friend other than your padawan and your surrogate parents. Perhaps she's lost someone as well."

Obi-Wan looked back toward the house once more, then grasping his lightsaber in his hand, flicked the switch and turned. "Are you going to talk or spar?"

Qui-Gon grinned. "Are you sure you're ready for another round?"

"Of course!"

X

Dinner was unusually loud that evening as four extra people had joined them. Qui-Gon sat at the end and watched the interactions between the people before him. He could understand why Obi-Wan loved this group so much. Shmi was every bit the mother figure that Obi-Wan claimed her to be, and Anakin and Owen and Beru treated him as an older brother and Cliegg had taken up the role of father in Qui-Gon's absence. This fact left Qui-Gon feeling somewhat envious of the fact that someone other than himself had been there to help Obi-Wan grow into himself and guide him the last four and a half years.

Obi-Wan and Anakin both sensed a change in the other Jedi and simultaneously looked toward him. "Is something wrong?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Everything's fine."

Not pleased with the answer but knowing they wouldn't get anything else from him for the time being, they went back to talking with the others about the upcoming wedding.

After dinner, the girls helped Shmi clean the kitchen while Cliegg and Qui-Gon stepped outside to enjoy the night air. "That boy of yours is a pleasure to have around, Master Jinn. I don't know what Shmi would have done if he hadn't been here to help her out and take care of Anakin."

"I just wish things could have gone somewhat differently," Qui-Gon answered. He sat down on an old crate next to the house and leaned back against the wall.

Cliegg mimicked him but sat down on the ground. "He spoke a lot of the years you spent together. Remembering them seemed to help him."

"Help him?"

"He's come a long way since I first met him. They were both saddened by the events that led to your separation, Obi-Wan more so but that was to be expected. He had a difficult time letting others in besides Anakin and Shmi. When he finally began to trust me I thought to return the favor by being there for him when he needed to talk, needed a man's point of view. Shmi is wonderful when it comes to advice, but there are times when a boy just needs to talk to a man or a father figure."

Qui-Gon nodded in agreement and the resentment he felt toward Cliegg began to fade. "Thank you Mr. Lars. Thank you for taking care of him."

Getting up off the ground, Cliegg turned toward the Jedi and met him eye to eye. "He never stopped wishing that it was you he could turn to." Clapping Qui-Gon on the shoulder, Cliegg went inside the house to gather his small group for the trip home.

Qui-Gon was pondering that bit of information when Obi-Wan joined him outside. "I think Anakin's going to the Lars' for the night so you'll have a bed to sleep in."

When his comment was met with silence, he tried something else. "You were rather quiet at dinner."

"I was observing. You fit in well here, padawan. This family that you all have created is very supportive of one another. I'm glad that you had them to lean on."

"You're not too fond of my relationship with Cliegg are you?"

Qui-Gon chuckled softly. "I never could get anything past you. And no, I wasn't at first. I was actually threatened by it, but after speaking with him I'm grateful that he took on the responsibility to be there for both you and Anakin."

"He never replaced you."

"I know. So what have you decided to do about Khloe? I'm sure Shmi is getting anxious to know if you two have any chance at all."

Shrugging his shoulders, as he was so prone to do these days, he replied, "I thought I'd take her and Beru home. I thought maybe we could talk and see if the possibility of a friendship is there."

"I'm very proud of you, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said, his words meant to encompass not only the present, but the past as well.

Obi-Wan smiled in return, receiving the praise for what it was. "I'd better get going before it gets too late."

"Be safe."

"Will do."

X

Obi-Wan stopped the speeder a few yards from the house. Beru said her goodbyes, hopped out, and ran inside. Khloe started to get out when she heard Obi-Wan speak.

"I was a little late in realizing what Shmi was doing this morning. I apologize if I in any way offended you. We didn't know we were having company or I would have had a tunic on."

Khloe blushed at the memory and was thankful for the shadows of the night as it was hidden from view. "It's okay, there's no need. I myself didn't realize that she had something in mind." Changing the subject, she continued, "Beru speaks very highly of you. She thinks the suns rise and set on you."

"She's a good kid. I wouldn't be surprised if she and Owen were to marry when they get older. They're very close."

"Yes they are. Owen is kind like his father except his manners are better and more refined."

Obi-Wan chuckled. "Well, you have Shmi to thank for that. She's been working with all of us."

"I've heard that Jedi already had impeccable manners, why would you need lessons?"

"There are some things they don't teach you at the Temple," he replied without further explanation.

"Beru was right, you are rather charming. Do you have many female friends?"

Obi-Wan smiled at the question. "I do have a few in the Jedi Order and of course there's Padmé, the Senator from Naboo, a few acquaintances I've met on missions but none here on Tatootine."

"And a girlfriend?"

Obi-Wan's smile slowly faded and he shook his head. "No. There was a girl at the Temple, but the life of a Jedi doesn't permit such attachments and I don't believe she'll move beyond those convictions. What about you?"

"Not many friends except the ones I went to school with here on planet and they've all but gone now to new and better things. I was engaged, but he decided that he wanted to travel the galaxy. He didn't think he could do that with a wife and possibly children later on, so he made the choice for us both and left."

"I'm sorry."

"There's no need to be. Shmi keeps telling me that it's possible to fall in love again, I just haven't met anyone that I've wandered about...until now," she spoke the last words more quietly.

It was Obi-Wan's turn to blush. "Sounds as though Shmi and Qui-Gon have been speaking behind our backs. That was the same advice he gave me earlier this morning. Khloe it isn't that I don't find you attractive...I just don't think I'm -"

"Ready?" she finished for him. "It's okay, neither am I. Not right now anyway, maybe down the road. It was kind of Shmi to try to fix us up but I don't think she understands."

"Or maybe she understands things that we don't. We're both in agreement as far as what mom had in mind, but what about friendship? I don't have many friends here, and it would be nice to have one that isn't family."

Khloe's smile reached her eyes and for the first time Obi-Wan noticed in the pale moonlight that they were green, complementing her dark blond hair perfectly. "I would like that."

He nodded, a small smile accompanying it. "Good." Exiting the speeder, he walked around to the other side and helped her out. Walking her to the house, he wished her good night and returned home.