These are just little random one-shots that I will be doing about the relationship between Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. They will be updated as often as I can, and if any wants me to expand on any of them or if you have a prompt for me, just say in the review :)

/words\\ = Bond speak

Please read and review :)

Prompt from SpencerBrown: Even in a timeline with your Cody/Obi romance, I think Obi and Satine would be close friends, because they're so much alike. So, when Maul murders her on the false assumption that Obi is in love with her, not for power, not for politics, not for the war, but JUST for revenge, how would Obi react?

Not only would he bear the guilt and pain at causing a friend's death, but he would also fear that the same might happen to Cody should his true feelings be discovered. Right when he would need Cody's support, to even BEGIN to start healing, I imagine he would pull away, distance himself, to try to protect Cody in the only way he thinks he can. After all, he couldn't protect Satine, so he would be afraid he couldn't protect Cody either. (We're never our smartest when overcome with grief).

I picture him drowning himself in missions and battle. Maybe this time it's Anakin who steps in to help his brother/Master? Or maybe Cody just can't stand to see Obi grinding himself into the ground and forces the truth out of him? (Presumably after some good advice from Rex, of course)

/Remember my dear Obi-Wan… you have been and always will be… my dearest friend.\\

The words replayed over and over in Obi-Wan's mind as the ship transported them back to Coruscant.

/Remember my dear Obi-Wan… you have been and always will be… my dearest friend.\\

"General…. Obi-Wan?"

Flinching as a gentle hand was placed on his shoulder, Obi-Wan twisted around to see a concerned Cody staring down at him.

"Are you alright General?"

Obi-Wan sighed, turning his attention away, "I'm…. conflicted Commander. If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to be on my own for a while."

A hurt look flickered across Cody's face, before he schooled it into a neutral expression, nodding in understanding. "Of course sir…if you need me, I'll be in the main cockpit."

Silently, Obi-Wan nodded, eyes fixated on the opposite wall as he lost himself in his thoughts once again.

It was all his fault.

Satine was dead because Maul saw their close friendship as something more and murdered her to hurt Obi-Wan… it was revenge, pure and simple.

And he wished that he could say this was the first time he had allowed something like this to happen.

In his mind, he could still see the red lightsabre blade enter Qui-Gon's midsection as he remained trapped behind a laser wall.

He could still hear the cries of the slaves of Kadavo… crying out for him to leave them alone. Jedi make everything worse.

It was all his fault.

All the pain and suffering…. His fault.

Taking deep breaths, Obi-Wan attempted to meditate, hoping to push all the feelings of guilt and anger into the Force before they truly overwhelmed him. Closing his eyes, he took breath after breath until he relaxed.

As he slipped further into a meditative state, images began to flicker across his eyes;

The look of shock on his Master's face when Maul stabbed him through the midsection.

People cowering away from him as he tried to help.

Anakin lashing out at him in anger and frustration, his face morphing from being a young boy to a young man.

… Cody's face twisting in pain as a red lightsabre came out from the front of his chest.

Obi-Wan's eyes shot straight open at this last image, sweat beading on his forehead as his face grew pale with shock. He knew that this hadn't happened… Cody was still alive.

For now.

As his stomach felt like it was sinking, Obi-Wan shook his head.

He couldn't let what happened to Satine, happen to Cody…. Someone he loved.

He just couldn't.

Cody frowned when he checked his holo-messenger for, what seemed like, the hundredth time in the past few weeks.

He hadn't been on a mission since they'd returned to Coruscant…. Not one.

"Cody?"

He glanced up to see Rex standing above him, a frown on his face.

"Why aren't you on the mission?"

Cody raised his eyebrow in a silent question, as Rex's frown deepened.

"Obi-Wan's mission? The one to Naboo?"

Feeling slightly sick, Cody gestured at his communicator. "I haven't had any messages from Obi-Wan for weeks… nothing. Nothing about work and nothing personal. Nothing."

He sighed sadly, "I think he's been avoiding me… maybe he regrets… us?"

Shaking his head, Rex went to sit by his brother "He's not contacted you at all?"

"No mission reports, no strategy meetings… nothing."

"Have you been… removed from your position?"

Cody's face grew pale at the thought as he shook his head, "I haven't heard anything about that… I don't think so. What do you think I should do?"

Thinking to himself for a few moments, Rex sighed wearily. "I don't know… What happened on your last mission?"

"… Maul killed Duchess Satine Kryze. From Mandalore?"

Rex hissed through his teeth, "In front of Obi-Wan?"

After Cody nodded, his brother sighed. "I think I understand now. General Skywalker hinted that there was a… history between the Duchess and General Kenobi."

"What sort of history?"

Rex simply gave Cody a significant look, causing Cody to flush slightly.

"Oh…. Really?"

"I don't know if there was actually something between them but… if Obi-Wan reacted that strongly, maybe there was something more?"

Before Cody could say anything, Rex sighed. "Maybe we should ask Master Jinn about it? I think Obi-Wan and Satine met when they were teenagers, or possibly a bit older."

"That long?"

At the slightly hurt tone in Cody's voice, Rex forced a smile on his face. "It might just have been a strong friendship?"

"I wouldn't be that lucky."

….

Personally, Rex found the Jedi Temple to be really intimidating. Stone walls lined with statues and tablets. Surrounded by stern looking men and women in bland cloaks…. All giving the pair disapproving stares.

"I think General Skywalker mentioned a training session with Master Jinn earlier."

"The training rooms are this way…" lead Cody, flushing slightly as Rex gave him a significant glance, "… Obi-Wan showed me one time. He wanted to show me a new move that he'd learnt."

"Is that what they're calling it now?"

"Shut up."

Quickly, the pair marched over to the training rooms, drawn to the correct room when they heard Anakin cursing slightly…. Okay a lot.

"I thought we were using the safety settings!"

"If I use the safety settings, then how are you going to learn?"

"Without getting burns on my legs and arms!"

As Cody and Rex entered the room, they watched as Qui-Gon Jinn (who was pushing 70) flipped over Anakin's head and poked him in the back with a training sabre.

"Strike 3… best five out of seven?"

Anakin groaned, but before they could fight again, he spotted the two clones in the doorway. "Cody! Rex!" Thank the Force, please tell me you have a mission for me?"

Rex chuckled at the slightly desperate tone in Anakin's voice, shaking his head in the negative. "Sorry General, but we'd like to speak to you both about General Kenobi."

Frowning in concern, Qui-Gon deactivated his lightsabre and beckoned the two clones' forwards. "What's wrong with him?"

Cody and Rex glanced at each, with Rex silently indicating for Cody to take the lead. When Cody hesitated, he rolled his eyes and stepped forwards. "Obi-Wan hasn't been taking Cody on any missions recently. Ever since Duchess Satine's death, he hasn't contacted Cody at all!"

"Have you been… relieved of your duties Commander?"

"Not that I'm aware of. I-I haven't got anything saying so?"

Gesturing for the pair to sit down, Qui-Gon sighed wearily. "Obi-Wan and Satine…. Bonded a long time ago. When Satine became Duchess, she was very young by the way, it led to a civil war. It eventually grew to a point where the Jedi Order was sent in as an intervention. Specifically, the council sent me and Obi-Wan to protect her."

Cody and Rex were engrossed in the story, as was Anakin.

"What happened?" asked the younger Jedi eagerly.

"The insurgents sent bounty hunters after the young duchess to kill her, which meant that me and Obi-Wan were forced to take away from Mandalore in order to protect her…. We were on the run for around a year. It's unsurprising that the two young adults bonded so fiercely."

"How fiercely did they bond?" Cody blurted out, unable to remain silent at the thought of the possible answer he might.

Qui-Gon clearly didn't want to answer, but Anakin frowned at the question. "When I talked with Obi-Wan, he implied that they were very close. He definitely didn't like me calling her his girlfriend."

"They were never lovers…" interrupted Qui-Gon sternly, "… Obi-Wan reassured me of this after the mission and I believe him. I know the… behaviours of someone in love, especially one who's in the Order."

Frowning at the way Qui-Gon glanced away, Cody found himself leaning forwards. "Forgive me Master Jinn…. But that sounds like you're speaking from personal experience."

"…. Her name was Tahl. We grew up together and we grew… close. Very close."

"What happened to her?"

"…. She was murdered."

Even Anakin seemed surprised at this, but wisely chose not to say anything as Qui-Gon continued.

"I became… a ghost of my former self after I lost Tahl. I almost drive Obi-Wan away by pushing him harder and harder during training… it got so bad, he felt as though he needed to call his Grandmaster to help knock some sense into me."

"Dooku?"

Cody had briefly met the Count when Obi-Wan and he first started seeing each other, and he could see how someone as unnerving as Qui-Gon Jinn would stand down against the Count…. That man was scary.

"Obi-Wan has the same reaction as I do in times of trouble…. He'll push people away."

"Yeah…" Rex glanced over at Cody, "… we're getting that sense."

Qui-Gon sighed wearily, "It's not just you Commander. Me and Anakin haven't seen Obi-Wan since his return from Mandalore. He's been on mission, after mission, after mission without staying in the Temple for more than two hours."

Rex and Cody glanced at each other. They hadn't realised this.

"So… what do we do?" asked Cody, "We can't let him continue like this. He'll get himself killed."

There was silence for a few moments, before Qui-Gon winced. "There's really only one person who could through to Obi-Wan when he's like this."

"Please don't say-"

Ignoring Anakin's partial protest, Qui-Gon continued. "- Dooku."

Anakin groaned at this, "Only if you're going to contact him."

"If I didn't know any better Anakin, I'd say you were scared."

"Merely…. Apprehensive."

With Qui-Gon clearly resisting the urge to roll his eyes, Rex cleared his throat and spoke up. "I've contacted the Count before…. If neither of you feel comfortable doing it, maybe I could?"

"You don't have to do that Captain…" Qui-Gon stated, heading towards the door, "… Dooku is my old Master, and if he ever found out that I let someone else contact him on my behalf…. Well, he'd be very disappointed. And I would never hear the end of it."

"Very well."

Straightening up, Qui-Gon rolled his shoulders. "This is going to be fun."

…..

"So, you're telling me…. "Dooku sighed, "… That once again. The Jedi Order is letting another Master wallow in self-pity after the death of a friend or loved one. It's like they never learn."

Qui-Gon winced, glancing around the communication room in case any of the Council were lurking. "Obi-Wan hasn't been around the Temple long enough for anyone to try and talk to him."

"So, he's wearing himself out by going on mission after mission after mission. That sounds familiar…. Although you always preferred to train yourself and your padawan to death."

Resisting the urge to retort in frustration, Qui-Gon took a deep, calming breath. "I understand that you may not want to come back to the Temple. I know that you disagree with how the Council does things… but Obi-Wan needs your help… we need your help."

There was silence for a while, before Dooku smirked over the hologram. "I sense that it hurt you to saw that… fine, I will catch the next transport to Coruscant. Do you know if Obi-Wan will be at the Temple any point soon?"

Qui-Gon glanced at Rex, who thought to himself for a few moments before clicking his fingers in remembrance. "I'm sure it was only a diplomatic mission. He should be back by the end of the week I believe."

Dooku nodded in understanding, "Then I shall endeavour to be there before he returns. If we can catch him as he arrives, we stand a better chance of keeping him in the Temple."

"Are you suggesting kidnapping him?"

"Let us be honest Qui-Gon…. Your old Padawan has had plenty of experience of being captured."

…..

As one as Obi-Wan's transporter touched down on the Temple landing pads, Qui-Gon and Anakin were ready for him. Whilst the Council wasn't happy with their decision to call Dooku and try and handle things themselves, they did agree that if Master Kenobi continued to go on mission after mission, the chances of him burning himself out was increasing.

Concealing themselves in the shadows, the pair winced at the sight of Obi-Wan. The man appeared as though he had aged, his tunic seemed loose, hanging on his body as his weight loss became evident.

Anakin sucked in a sympathetic breath. "I hate to admit it…. But maybe having Dooku here will help."

"It usually does."

As Obi-Wan exited the hanger, Qui-Gon and Anakin followed behind him in the shadows. As the Jedi Master turned to go down a deserted corridor that led to the training rooms, Qui-Gon and Anakin took advantage and grabbed Obi-Wan.

The fact that it was so easy, was another sign of how bad things had gotten.

"What are you doing?" yelled Obi-Wan, as he struggled in their grasp, "Anakin! Master!"

Ignoring Obi-Wan's protests, Qui-Gon and Anakin managed to drag him into an abandoned room. With Anakin blocking the doorway, Qui-Gon called Dooku and gave him directions as to where they were.

"What is the meaning of this?" Obi-Wan hissed, shooting disappointed glances at Anakin, "Anakin?"

Anakin frowned, "You need help Master… everybody has seen it… even Cody."

A brief look of guilt flashed across Obi-Wan's face before it was schooled back into a neutral expression. "I… I did not intend to worry anyone, but I'm afraid I've been needed on several, important missions."

"I don't think they needed you for every single one of them." Scolded Qui-Gon, "Surely you could have spent more than a few hours at the Temple?"

"I don't question the decisions of the council, unlike some people."

At the obvious slight on Qui-Gon and Anakin's rebellious nature, the two other Jedi bristled. However, before anything could be said, the door slid open and Dooku, Rex and Cody entered the room.

Quickly sensing the tension in the room, Rex and Cody moved to the opposite corner of the room and simply watched as Dooku scanned Obi-Wan from head to toe.

"I must confess…" sighed Dooku, "… I find myself a little disappointed in you Obi-Wan."

"Disappointed? In me?"

"Have you looked in a mirror lately? I understand that you and Satine were close, but was it really necessary to push everyone away?"

"… I was trying to deal with this in peace. Without being surrounded by well-meaning friends and family."

"Hmmmm, strange that you would choose this occasion to fall apart like this. As I recall, you have gone through many other distressing situations… what makes this one so different?"

Seeming to sense that Dooku wanted him to confess feeling something strong for Satine, Obi-Wan clammed up, turning away from his Grandmaster.

Anakin however, frowned at Dooku's statement. "What do you mean? What other distressing situations?!"

Smirking at Qui-Gon's almost un-noticeable wince, Dooku plastered a look of mock surprise on his face. "Haven't Qui-Gon or Obi-Wan told you?" he exclaimed, "I hate to say this, but my old student was a bit… dense during Obi-Wan's early years as a padawan."

Qui-Gon's wince was definitely visible that time.

"What do you mean?" Anakin asked, catching Obi-Wan's frown out of the corner of his eye.

"Well… Qui-Gon refused what to see what was right in front of him and didn't take Obi-Wan as his padawan until they were both on Bandomeer."

"Wait…" Anakin turned to Obi-Wan, "… you were sent away from the Temple? Why?"

Obi-Wan sighed, "I had… anger issues. Do we really have to talk about this Master Dooku?"

"Yes, because although you were disappointed and hurt, you still managed to prove yourself. The same with Melida/Daan. Qui-Gon abandoned you then, and yet you still stood strong."

Both Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon protested at this.

"Abandoned is a strong word Master." "I deserved it! What I did on Melida/Daan was stupid and reckless!"

Dooku frowned at Obi-Wan's statement. "Nonsense… Qui-Gon spent half of your early partnership believing that you weren't good enough, and trying to push you away. Of course, you'd rather stay on a planet where you were treated with some semblance of respect…. Even if it did go against the Jedi Code."

"Wait, wait, wait!" interrupted Anakin as he watched Qui-Gon turn away, almost in guilt, "Why hasn't anyone told me this?"

Obi-Wan sighed, "It wasn't important for you to know Anakin. What happened between Master Qui-Gon and I is in the past, and that's where it should stay."

"But- "

"- Anakin. Enough. Master Dooku, surely there's a point to this?"

Nodding, Dooku smirked. "I am merely trying to get my point across. Even after Tahl's demise, Qui-Gon's second abandonment of you, his near dea- "

"- Wait, wait, wait!" Anakin interrupted again, with Cody and Rex frowning in the background "Second abandonment?"

Qui-Gon shook his head, "Master. Is there any real need to- "

"- Yes Skywalker…" interrupted Dooku, ignoring how his old padawan protested, "… The day that Qui-Gon announced that he would take you as his padawan, despite only days earlier, claiming that Obi-Wan wasn't ready for the trials, was the day that Qui-Gon abandoned Obi-Wan for the second time."

"Master, please- "

"- And yet, despite this, Obi-Wan still remained strong. He still fought Darth Maul bravely and defeated him when Qui-Gon was struck down!" Dooku continued, undeterred by his ex-padawan's protests, "So what makes this occasion so different… why are you neglecting yourself in this way?"

Obi-Wan remained silent,

"Do you believe it's your fault…" continued Dooku more softly, "… because you weren't meant to know that Maul would survive after the Battle on Naboo."

"I know." Obi-Wan shook his head and sighed, "I know now that no-one else could survive what I did to Maul… but every time he comes back, he follows a distinct pattern."

"Oh?"

Fleetingly, Obi-Wan glanced over at Cody, before sighing wearily. "He hurts someone that I care about… I can't let it happen again."

Before anyone else could say anything, Cody stepped forwards. "Is that why you've been avoiding me?" he whispered, ignoring everyone else in the room, "To protect me?"

Obi-Wan nodded silently.

"I can protect myself!" Cody blurted out, slightly offended by the idea that he needed this protection, "I may not be as agile or skilled as the Jedi, but that doesn't make me weak!"

"I don't think you're weak Cody…" sighed Obi-Wan, "… the opposite actually."

"What?"

Obi-Wan sighed again, "Maul fatally injured my Master when I was in my early twenties…. He has killed some of my closest friends within the Order and then he killed Satine almost the exact same way he injured my Master, so no, I don't think you're weak…. I think he's stronger."

He turned away, "And I can't watch him hurt anyone else… not like that."

There was silence as everyone simply stared at Obi-Wan, with Dooku being the only one to speak up after a couple of minutes.

"That's why you've been pushing everyone, especially the Commander, away… you believe that if Maul finds out about your feelings for Commander Cody, or your closeness with Qui-Gon and Skywalker- "

"- and you Master Dooku." Interrupted Obi-Wan, "Rex as well. Maul could take advantage of any interaction I have with others, and use it to break me further!"

"You're not broken…" interrupted Qui-Gon, "… just a bit cracked little one."

Before Obi-Wan could even think about replying, Cody strode closer and pulled him into a hug. "You're not alone… please don't push us away any more."

He pulled away, "If Maul does decide to return, then we'll be ready for him… together."

There was a brief silence, before Obi-Wan smiled. "I'm hoping we will both be old men by the time we face each other again…"

"Even then, we'll fight together."

"Yes… together."