A Rose's Thorn

Setting : This takes place a few years before TPM. Obi-Wan is 18. Yummy, ne? The story takes place on Couresant (at the jedi temple, of course) and on Hoth where evil lurks in the darkness.

Rating: PG because of disturbing scenes and perhaps a bit of language

Summary : After having a mild disagreement with his padawan, Qui-Gon Jinn's temper gets the best of him. Cold words are exchanged, and a rift forms in the midst of their bond. As memories of past mistakes cloud Qui-Gon's thinking and a vicious storm of both guilt and anger pours down on Obi-Wan, the council summons them for a mission that they truly believe will help the destined pair sort out their problems.

An ambassador from the frigid planet Hoth arrives with disturbing news. One year ago, a new queen ascended to the throne of Hoth. Although not of royal lineage, the fallen king's dying request was for this unknown mistress to take control of the throne. Because he was a well-loved and respected king, the people obeyed his command. But, there was a bit of suspicion surrounding this unknown mistress as the months passed by. After many duties were ignored and galactic rules were broken, the jedi council sent a small team to investigate. According to the ambassador, the team suddenly vanished one day without a trace. The council being unsure of the ambassador's accuracy yet truly concerned for the well-being of the jedi team involved, decides to send its best - even though they are presently at their worst - team to solve this dilemma.

When Obi-Wan is thrown into a dilemma of his own, he must fight a battle against himself. But who will save this troubled padawan - his master or himself?

Disclaimer : I don't own any part of Star Wars, although I must admit, I think we all secretly wish for our own personal evil Obi-Wan slave dressed in black, chained up, and only able to say, "Yes, Mistress." (Well, at least Sparkling Diamond Satine shares the vision!

A/N : Let me go ahead and state a few little things. I have not read the Jedi Apprentice series. I currently have #6 and #8, but that's all the cruddy library had. Plus, being a 17-year-old, AP English student, I felt -really- stupid asking too many questions about when and where the other books could be found. However, I have read some summaries, so I have a basic idea of Xanatos, the forever-faultering jedi/padawan relationship between our favorite duo, and Tahl. Since the majority of the Star Wars fan fiction community goes along with those basic points, I'll play along. However, they won't control the story, really (except the faltering relationship, but any obsessive fan of TPM could gather that something was never quite right). Just thought I would warn all of you about that. Due to my lack of detailed knowledge, some of this story may seem A/U. That's fine, in fact, I usually prefer it that way. The purpose is just to play with some ideas I have rolling around in my head. Obi-Wan just facinates me (other than his hauntingly attractive good looks), and Qui-Gon pisses me off more than any other character I have encountered (except, perhaps, Othello. He was too easily manipulated... and he just annoyed me somehow). So with that love/hate thing already established, I have to write a story! I just have to! Also, I'm going to put a random quote/lyric/whatever at the beginning of my chapters. I've seen a lot of different authors do it, and I happen to really enjoy the concept. *smiles* Now, I really happen to enjoy reviews. Although I'm writing this story to play with ideas, I tend to leave my projects unfinished because once I'm through playing, I have no reason to complete the work. So, if you enjoy this and would like me to continue, please review and let me know. Thanks so much! Enjoy! ~Nicole

Chapter 1 : Blossoming Anger

"I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -

I took the road less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference."

~Robert Frost





Hours that each seemed to resemble an individual eternity drifted by as the weary jedi master pondered over the day's events. Scenes re-played themselves over-and-over again in his mind to a point of agony. He ran a slightly-calloused hand through his long locks as anger began to dwell deeply in his green eyes. One thought stood out in the midst of the confusion swirled with anger in Qui-Gon Jinn's mind, "He defied me."

Although the dispute was nothing ultimately significant, guilt continued to be tossed around in the enticing, sea-change eyes of the young padawan. Beads of sweat gently rolled down his forehead, past those haunting orbs, and down past the small cleft in his chin. He constantly sorted through images and words from the day's tragedy. He ran a hand through his short, copper locks until his reached the small ponytail on the back of his head. He let out a sigh as the realization finally set in, "I defied him."

The seemingly destined, yet ultimately star-crossed team of Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi had been given a simple project to research until an appropriate solution was found. What should be done to monitor and study the natural environment on Yavin and its moons without harming it? After researching and making several trips to the planet, the pair each had a very different evaluation of their own.

"Master Jinn, what is your solution?" Master Windu had asked with the expectance of a complex, yet ultimately perfect answer from the best team in the temple.

"Leave the environment alone. Perhaps station a few recording devices in an unnoticeable location, but ultimately leave the planet and its moons alone. By sending research teams, the 'natural' aspect of the research has already been tampered with, for things must be adapted in order for a team to live and work there. I say it isn't worth wasting our efforts over, so leave the environment to itself," Qui-Gon had stated.

"But, Master Jinn, unless we are able to gather information about the planet's natural environment, we will never understand what killed the army that was previously stationed there. You have completely ignored the purpose of your assigned project," Master Windu had said.

"I saw no purpose in the assigned project. There are plenty of galactic disputes we could be settling, yet instead you insist on giving us a task best aimed at the least-trained teams," Qui-Gon had retorted.

"And because of your defiance, you act even worse than the least-trained teams. I'm still amazed Obi-Wan chose a life with you over farming," Mace had replied, then suddenly he had turned his attention to the young yet esteemed padawan at Master Jinn's side. "Tell me, Obi-Wan, do you agree with your master's evaluation of the problem?"

"No, Master Windu, I do not," Obi-Wan had replied softly.

The young padawan had suddenly felt a sharp, nearly painful, tug on the bond his shared with his master. Usually during the not-so-rare moments when he felt such a tug, he would turn and stare obediently at his master, and in return, Qui-Gon would sigh and give a look of reassurance. But this time, Obi-Wan had stepped forward and gave a slight bow to the masters before him.

"I believe, Masters, that a small team should be sent. Not one as big as the previously stationed army, but big enough to conduct the appropriate research. Because there are already bases established by the army forces, they should easily be able to adapt the bases into the labs they need without doing any damage to the surrounding environment. However, for precautionary purposes, they must not conduct their experiments for a week. Within a week's time, if there are significant changes in the environment surrounding their bases, we can assume they somehow caused a problem, and we shall think of another solution. If nothing is changed, they may go to their research without any further conflicting issues from the jedi," Obi-Wan had stated.

"Well said, young Obi-Wan. I admire your obvious effort to answer such a simple task. Although in normal circumstances we would have given this to a less-established team, I wanted a quick and precise response, which you have given me. Thank you, young Obi-Wan, you and your master are dismissed," Master Windu had said, giving a warm smile to Obi-Wan and a near glare to Qui-Gon.

Both had bowed and walked away from the council chamber, but no words were exchanged between the two. They returned to their shared quarters without saying anything to each other. Qui-Gon was too furious to speak, and Obi-Wan knew it was best to say nothing, for at such a moment, silence truly is golden.

As the afternoon hours drifted by, Qui-Gon's anger blossomed into an ugly, thorny flower that was watered by the tears the distorted thoughts roaming through his mind caused him. There had been one other to turn against the grand Master Jinn - Xanatos. Although Obi-Wan had committed no crime or showed any true defiance against his nature, a certain familiar anger was being to linger in Qui-Gon's soul. Although the anger was not and could not ever be directed at Xanatos, it was too easy for it to form in him against his padawan. Perhaps if Qui-Gon Jinn cared for someone other than Qui-Gon Jinn, he would see the brilliant nature and blessed gift of his padawan, but with the memory of Xanatos, Qui-Gon became absorbed with himself and no other. Xanatos could defy and still bring about love from his former master. Obi-Wan could seem to defy and bring about pure anger from his master. Such distortions danced in Qui-Gon's mind.

Guilt scratched and scraped against Obi-Wan's heart until it successfully managed to tear a hole in it. He hadn't meant to defy his master; he loved his master with every piece of his heart and only wished to be obedient. Defiance simply was not in Obi-Wan Kenobi's nature; it was an established fact to everyone except the one who should have been the first to notice such an admirable quality. Slowly feelings of anger began to stitch the guilty wound back together. Why should he be so distraught when Qui-Gon's defiance was the very source of their problem? He had completed the task and saved them from the ridicule of the jedi council. He saved their reputation. Yet, despite the obvious facts, Qui-Gon still insisted on giving Obi-Wan the classic silent treatment like a spoiled child. Anger, although not often felt so strongly by the young padawan, eased the pain caused from the guilt Qui-Gon inflicted upon him.

A faint knock upon their door broke the deafening silence. Obi-Wan, eager to speak to someone, strolled toward the door with his effortless, cat-like grace and gently pulled it open. He looked down and offered his trademark smile to the young padawan girl before him. She couldn't have been older than twelve, he assumed, for a certain twinkle danced in her eyes that only a child could still know. Freckles adorned her round face and a long red braid swung behind her.

"Padawan Kenobi," she said with a hint of a lisp yet an extreme effort for ultimate politeness, "the council wishes to see you and Master Jinn."

"Oh really?" he inquired.

"Yes, sir," the child replied with a quick nod of her head.

"Well, if they wanted to see us, why didn't they come and knock upon my door? Perhaps they knew a sweet, little girl is much more convincing than that little green troll they usually send?" Obi-Wan asked.

The young girl suddenly burst into a fit of giggles, and Obi-Wan smiled. "When would the council like to see us, hm?" he asked.

"As soon as possible," she stated after regaining her composure.

"Well then, tell them we shall be there momentarily. I will go inform my master right away," Obi-Wan said. "And do tell them next time to send that little, green troll. It's much easier to decline the council's invitation and reschedule with that creature that grunts instead of giggles. The giggles win me over every time."

With another giggle fit, the young girl skipped down the hallway to return the message to the council. Obi-Wan's smile remained until he closed the door and leaned against it. He allowed himself a short sigh before walking toward his master's room. He paused outside Qui-Gon's closed door, then gave it a slight tap.

"Master," Obi-Wan stated, "the council has sent for us. They wish to see us immediately."

"How delightful," Qui-Gon murmured as he arose and opened his door. He refused to meet his padawan's gaze; instead, he brushed past Obi-Wan and said, "I wonder what they need your divine wisdom for this time."

Obi-Wan was taken aback by the cruelty dripping from Qui-Gon's tone, yet the anger inside caused his heart to throb a little after each beat. "If they were seeking my wisdom, they would have sent for me alone," Obi-Wan retorted.

"They never ask for a padawan alone," Qui-Gon murmered.

"They never have a defiant master with an obedient padawan," Obi-Wan stated.

"You think that's the case?" Qui-Gon inquired.

"Well, yes actually..." Obi-Wan replied.

"I defy the council when they assign meaningless tasks. You defied me when I tried to prove a point to them," Qui-Gon said, his temper slowly taking over in his words.

"You defied the council because you didn't want to complete their task. Meaningless, perhaps, but still it was assigned. You defied the council, also, by not completing their task. Your defiance proves my point. I remained obedient to the council, and, forgive me, Master, but they are not the ones to defy," Obi-Wan stated.

"But it is perfectly justified in your eyes to defy me?" Qui-Gon inquired, burning inside from his temper.

"I didn't defy you. I completed our assigned task. It was your choice not to do it, but-" Obi-Wan started, but Qui-Gon quickly cut him off.

"They think of you as such a lovely little rose, Obi-Wan. They think you blossom with such intellect and talent. But, Padawan, every rose has its thorns. You are nothing but a thorn in my side. Never forget that," Qui-Gon stated as he walked out into the hallway, leaving Obi-Wan staring in complete shock.

"What have I done," Obi-Wan murmured as guilt began to consume his heart again. He slowly stepped into the hallway and trailed far behind his master. "Master... master, what have I done? I'm sorry, Master," he called through their bond, but Qui-Gon's only response was that sudden, sharp tug.