Things deteriorated once Qui-Gon got Obi-Wan back to the temple. The padawan, while being examined by the healers kicked, bit, and battled them, much like he had done to Xanatos. Qui-Gon was called before the council with his now unruly padawan.
"Plan you do, to care for your apprentice on your own, without intervention?"
"Yes Master Yoda. Even the healers say Obi-Wan would regain his memory more quickly if he stays in the familiar confines of his home, his own bed, but most importantly with me."
"I bet it wasn't the healer that was bitten by him who thought he should stay here."
Mace was one of Jinn's oldest and dearest friends. He was also dead set against having Obi-Wan stay at the temple. He thought he should go to the foster home, which had been procured for him by the council. It was a retired Jedi master who offered housing to Obi-Wan until his memory was restored.
"Mace I am not going to change my mind. I plan to help Obi-Wan in his recovery, not send him to strangers where he would be even more confused and terrified."
"And what of your other apprentice?"
What do you mean, what of him? I can train Xanatos too."
"Planned we had not to tell you disturbing news of Xanatos. Feel now we must. Accusations leveled against him there has been. Accused of killing his captives while Telos he has been. Truth we have not found of these actions."
Jinn was taken aback by this news.
"You can't be serious.. Someone has accused Xanatos of murder?"
"Quite simply put, yes. He has been accused of taking the captives he had and having them executed."
Mace hated to relay the news to Qui-Gon but with his precarious position with his other padawan; he felt Qui-Gon should know the accusations against his other padawan.
"Did you confront Xanatos with this? Of course you didn't. In all the council's wisdom, you seek the truth behind my padawan's back. Why not ask him? I know he is not guilty of what he is accused. He would never round up prisoners and kill them."
"Search for the truth the council will as they see fit and with "our own wisdom". Until then keep silent to Padawan Xanatos, you also will. Continue his training. So far, the council has found nothing it has to incriminate your older padawan. Sincerely hope we do, no proof of wrongdoing is found. Things could get hectic with the child too care for. Sure you are that keep him you plan too?"
"Yes I plan to keep Obi-Wan and I plan to clear my other padawan's name. I will be doing some investigating on Xanatos' behalf. I will not tell him for now what is going on. However, I do hope the council finishes their own investigation soon. I hate going behind Xanatos' back, treating him like a common criminal."
"Very well Qui. You can keep Obi-Wan with you as long as he does not become a problem here at the temple. See to it he doesn't injure any of the other padawans."
"Mace I have never known you to talk so unfairly about Obi-Wan."
"He is not the young man he was before Qui. I just don't want to see your Jedi career destroyed by misplaced loyalties."
"Right. You sound like Xanatos. So much worry for me. I think you and the council should be more worried about my padawan and not me.
"Worried about both of you I am Master Jinn. See that Obi-Wan remains under your constant care. See also your loyalties are focused."
Jinn did not know exactly what Yoda meant. His loyalties lay with Obi-Wan for now. He could not even think of his Jedi career with Obi-Wan's future hanging in such an unsure balance. He was equally concerned for his older padawan, Xanatos. Jinn felt it would have been better just to confront Xani with the accusations and go from there. The council seemed determined to go behind his back to find his guilt or innocence.
####
Jinn returned to his apartment he shared with Xani and Obi-Wan. He found his two apprentices in an intense argument over mid-day meal.
"Do you really think I planned to eat that slop you have prepared? Well I guess I showed you."
Jinn could see that Xanatos had just finished cleaning up what was to have been Obi-Wan's meal, off the kitchen floor."
Xanatos looked up to Qui-Gon for help when he saw his master enter the kitchen area.
Qui-Gon quickly sat down at the table to enjoy the stew and pull-apart bread Xanatos had prepared for his master. Jinn motioned for Xanatos, who also sat down without another word.
.
"I think you are absolutely right Obi-Wan. If you don't like the stew Xanatos and I plan to have for mid-day meal, I think you should not have to eat it."
"You aren't helping matters Master. You can't give in and let him have his way all the time."
Obi-Wan crossed his arms over his chest as he sat there and exhibited a self-satisfied smile on his face. He thought he had won the battle.
"Come on Xani let's eat."
Jinn and Xanatos started eating their stew and bread..
"Aren't you going to have your "slave" here fix me something else to eat?"
"Xanatos is my padawan just as you are. Neither of you are slaves. If you don't want to eat what is front of you for mid-day meal, maybe your next meal will seem more appetizing. You will have nothing else offered to you until last-meal."
It was Xanatos' turn to plaster a self-satisfying smirk on his face. His master made a mental note to correct Xanatos when not in front of Obi-Wan concerning the mocking of the little padawan. Obi-Wan was acting like a small brat because he did not know better. Someone of Xanatos' age and training should not goad the little one…
"You can't be serious. I am hungry now!!"
"If you had been truly hungry now, you would have eaten the stew before you, instead of throwing it on the floor. Maybe you will feel more like eating what we have prepared this evening."
"No, I have changed my mind. I will eat it now."
"I am sorry my padawan. That's not how things are done around here. Your portion of the mid-day meal was just scooped up off the floor and put in the garbage by Xanatos. There will be nothing else prepared now."
Obi-Wan was furious with his master right now. Well he did not know that Jinn was in fact his master, but the big man before him was making Obi-Wan more and more angry and unhappy about his present situation.
The younger Jedi got up and stomped to the main living area, accenting every move as he flopped himself down on the common room sofa.
Jinn continued eating, never looking up as he spoke to Obi-Wan again.
"I will overlook it this time, however when you want to be excused from the table, you will ask to be given permission to do so. I will not be so lenient and forgiving next time, if you do not follow my instructions to the letter young man."
The disgruntled padawan continued to pout and huff noises of discontentment while he sat on the sofa feeling very much ignored. Obi-Wan felt that Qui-Gon was being extremely cruel to him and he could not understand the reason, if he belonged here as the Master said he did. This being a Jedi seemed like a very strict and hard road to travel for the younger padawan who had no memory of his Jedi training.
Jinn went back to talking to Xanatos, planning his other padawan's training schedule with his saber. Qui-Gon would have to drag Obi-Wan with them. Jinn felt that for right now he could not safely leave the boy in their apartment unattended. If he escaped or happen to have a run-in with another padawan, it would only be used as fuel against him to try to get him sent to a foster home until he could recover his memories and Jedi training, if he ever did……..
Last-meal went without problems. Obi-Wan found that after missing mid-day meal and with his voracious appetite he did not put up an argument about what was sat before him. He gobbled the food down and as politely as his petulant behavior would allow, asked for and received a second helping of everything, even dessert..
After the kitchen was cleaned, the three Jedi headed to the saber practice area.
What started out as an exhilarating workout with sabers between master and apprentice turned into a catastrophe when Obi-Wan wanted to get in on the action? Qui-Gon patiently told him he had his own saber; however, it was put up for now for safekeeping. That provoked the padawan into another temper tantrum. He was not in a pleasant mood anyway over the confrontation with his master earlier in the day during mid-day meal. He thought Qui-Gon was putting too many restrictions on him and actually being cruel too him. Obi-Wan could not understand why if he had been a Jedi apprentice, he could not have his saber to play with.
That was the exact reason that Qui-Gon was not going to let him have it. He knew Obi-Wan had not retained any of his saber training and skills, certainly not enough to safely handle a saber, especially when his younger padawan said he wanted to play with his saber.
All the way back from the saber practice Qui-Gon could see Obi-Wan was sulking over having been told no to using a light saber.
"It is unbecoming of a Jedi to sulk and pout like a small child."
"You tell me I am Jedi. I have no memory of it. I have no memory of anything so I am not sure where I belong. I am getting the feeling that I do not like you or your padawan very much and am not sure I believe you when you say I belong here at all."
"Jedi do not lie. You are a Jedi-in- training. Even if you were not a Jedi, you should have enough common sense to act your age of fifteen and not a two-year old."
Qui-Gon threw back the equally stinging words to his padawan, just as Obi-wan had thrown them to him about not liking him. He realized when he said them they were as much out of truth as they were to hurt the padawan just as he had hurt Qui-Gon. No, he was not acting very Jedi-like himself right now. The boy had pushed the master to the limit..
The bitingly raw assessment of him did the trick; Obi-Wan blushed red with embarrassment over the harsh words. Obi-Wan remained silent during the balance of the walk back to the apartment
The hurling of insults back and forth from apprentice to master was not conducive in establishing some kind of working relationship.
It hurt Jinn to the core for Obi-Wan to say he didn't like him. He knew the boy's past with him as his master was wiped away. Jinn hoped that there would be a remnant of the training bond that would help connect them, but there was not. Obi-Wan was not even aware that he possessed Jedi powers.
The way Obi-Wan was acting right now, Jinn was glad he did not know of the immense powers he possessed. The child could use those powers for things that were not intended to be used, such as escaping or quite possibly to harm someone.
Qui-Gon released a long sigh. He was thinking that he could even be forced to put a force dampener on Obi-Wan if he found out about his powers and decided to use those powers against Jinn or anyone else. It could present a real problem with the boy and their almost nonexistent bond if Qui-Gon was forced into such actions.
#######
Things finally settled down for the evening. Qui-Gon encouraged Xanatos to go out with his friends. The apprentice certainly needed a break after having helped Qui-Gon deal with the very insubordinate Obi-Wan. With the help of a Jedi mind suggestion, Obi-Wan was tucked safely in his bed for the night. The boy would undoubtedly be very upset the next morning once he realized his master intentionally induced his sleep so that Qui-Gon could get a little peace and quiet. Jinn also wanted to be alone to go over the testimony of Xanatos' accuser concerning his supposed murders of his captives while on Telos.
The accuser turned out to be one of Xanatos' rivals on the planet, Norton Gilroy. The young man had hoped to succeed Xanatos' father, as the ruler since Xanatos had committed his life to the Jedi and was not willing to help rule his planet. Lord Crion chose instead a cousin to Xanatos to be trained as his successor, not exactly what Norton wanted.
Qui-Gon now had his motive for why Gilroy would have lied on his padawan.. He just had to find out what really happened to the captives that had tried to overthrow the government of Telos. Where they still in prison, released, or as Xanatos had been accused of, murdered? If they were murdered, Jinn knew that would complicate the investigation even more. He was sure his padawan would not have killed them, but if they were dead, then Jinn would have to find out who was responsible for their deaths.
Qui-Gon massaged the bridge of his nose trying to stifle the headache he was again threatening to get. Since he had gotten Obi-Wan back, the big master was truly stressed out. Now things were even more complicated because of trying to prove his other padawan's innocence in an accusation of a slaughter of his captives.
With knock at the door, Qui-Gon looked up to see his old friend Mace Windu standing there waiting to be asked in.
"You know by all rights I shouldn't invite you in my home after what you said about Obi-Wan."
"Come on Qui. You know I have Obi-Wan's best interests in mind just as you do. I also worry about you, my old friend."
Mace slapped the knee of Jinn's and both exchanged smiles.
"Well I guess you do. I just know it is best for Obi-Wan to be with me. I only have one concern."
Mace sat down on the edge of Qui-Gon's desk to listen to his friend.
"What is that may I ask?"
"Well to thoroughly investigate what happened on Telos I need to go there. But Obi-Wan needs to be here."
"If it will help you I can care for Obi-Wan."
"You seem awfully agreeable for someone who just about ripped my head off in front of the council for me wanting to keep Obi-Wan by my side."
"Had to try to do what I felt was best for you. But I see your mind is made up. I know well enough that I can't change it. May I make a suggestion?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"Talk to the healers again. They basically said that the most important place for Obi-Wan to be was by your side. Maybe the familiarity of a mission by your side would be just as beneficial as being at the temple. Then you, Xanatos, and Obi-Wan could go to Telos and get to the bottom of this. The council has gotten no where in their investigation of Xanatos. I myself thought it would be worth sending someone there to investigate."
"Good. I think I will have a talk with the healers and then the council about going. I am glad I have someone on my side."
Mace got up to leave and rolled his eyes over Jinn's last comment.
"You know you always have Master Yoda on your side, no matter how well he tries to hide it."
#########
Everything had been settled with the healers and the council. Qui-Gon with both padawans set out on a made up reason for going to Telos. Xanatos still did not know the truth as to why they were going. Obi-Wan did not at first want to go, but he thought it would be less boring than being held captive in his apartment with a disagreeable master and grumpy padawan, Xani.
Qui-Gon was convinced that Obi-Wan was trying to prove he was a very typical teenager by doing every unruly and mischievous thing normal teenagers did.
Obi-Wan had gone from the ideal apprentice to an obnoxious, sulking, messy teenager. If Qui-Gon asked Obi-wan to do something, then he would always have to repeat it because of the procrastinating teenager. Qui-Gon was beginning to suspect that Obi-Wan did things just to annoy the master, but in truth he did them because he was so confused and in many ways hurt by the master's sometimes callous way he corrected him.. The master seemed to criticize more than correct. Obi-Wan did not see the master helping him get his memory back, Jinn seemed to be making him a Jedi without any memory of ever being one. Obi-Wan was supposed to know how to act, but of course he didn't. The young one would become frustrated and then angry. That anger would exhibit itself always in front of his master, doing away with any forward momentum they might have made in their shaky relationship.
Of course the Jedi were the guests of Lord Crion while they stayed on Telos. Lord Crion was temporarily away, but they had been given full rein of the castle that was once Xani's home. Obi-Wan liked the idea of staying in the castle and having anything at his fingertips that could ever want. The only problem was "his" master would not let him have any of the luscious food or indulge in the game room or pool. Instead the Jedi kept the rigorous regime of bland boring foods, constant meditation, never-ending academic studies, and very little extra curricular activities. That only heightened the animosity between the two; Obi-Wan taking the Jedi training as a punishment not as it was meant to be, Jedi conditioning.
Obi-Wan could not figure out why it was necessary not to enjoy any of life's pleasures just to be a Jedi. If that were truly the case he did not want to be a Jedi. He voiced the very same sentiments to his master. The only thing he netted from the unforgivable confession was standing in the corner for the rest of the afternoon and two hours of extra meditation.
Things were not going well with his youngest padawan and not much better for the older one. Jinn went out to the city and spoke with several people that were involved with the battle that Xanatos led, but no one seemed to know what happened to men after they were captured.
It was after one of the conversations when Jinn was making the ones he had just spoken with, forget the said conversation, that a horrible idea struck the master. He was making these people forget about their conversation with him. What if Xanatos made them forget what happened to the captives. Xanatos was far enough and experienced enough in his Jedi training that he could have, with a sweep of his one hand make everyone forget anything he wished them too. If he did that then why didn't he make Norton Gilroy forget also?
Jinn felt guilty for having thought of ways Xanatos could deceive others, but he had to think everything through, even the possibility that Xani did it. That would have been the only way he would have gotten away with it.
Jinn called Mace on the comm and they talked things over. The one thing the master did not know was that Obi-Wan was intently listening to everything Master Jinn was saying to Mace. Obi-Wan did not understand all that was being said but knew enough to know Master Jinn was not telling him or Xanatos the truth about why they were here on Telos.
//So the Jedi never lie, RIGHT!!!! When it is the great Master Qui-Gon Jinn doing it, I guess sidestepping the truth is different. //
Obi-Wan was clearly not acting like his caring, harmonious self. An almost evil smile crossed the younger padawan's face.
//Now I will have a little ammo when "Xani" starts on me again. Wait till he finds out we are here to investigate him in some way. I guess Master Jinn doesn't trust him anymore than he trusts me……………//
Searching for proof of Xanatos' innocence kept Master Jinn busy. That left Obi-Wan in Xanatos' care quite often. Xanatos tried to be tolerant of the "other" apprentice and he really did try to be good to Obi-Wan. There was one major problem when it came to dealing with Obi-Wan; he made it difficult for anyone to be nice to him.
Not having his memory was wearing on the boy's demeanor heavily. He wanted to remember what it was like to be a Jedi; to be Master Jinn's apprentice, but he just seemed not to be able too. He thought if his memory would return about him being a Jedi apprentice and the master was telling the truth, then his life would be easier. For right now Obi-Wan was a normal teenager unaware of his powers and his Jedi training. He was like a normal teen but the problem was acerbated by the fact he should not be normal but far ahead and more mature than a teen his age. However, he had no memory of it.
Master Jinn's patience was wearing thinner and thinner with his little padawan. He was so focused on finding the truth about Xanatos that Obi's problems took the back seat in the problem department. Obi-Wan was beginning to notice that his problems were replaced by the need or desire for his master to deal with whatever he was dealing with where Xanatos was concerned. The little padawan was getting more and more jealous of Xanatos with each passing day.
Xanatos had just finished going over Obi-Wan's mathematical equations for mistakes. After red-marking several answers for being wrong, "Xani" decided he would not check more of them. He tossed the work back to Obi-Wan.
"Just go ahead and completely redo them. There is not enough room to keep putting marks on the wrong answers. You didn't even check to verify the accuracy of any of these math equations. You just barreled through them so you could say you finished them."
"Smart dutiful padawan. Found out my secret did you? I tired of doing them. If they are wrong, so what? Master said to finish them. He did not say they all had too be right."
"You will think "so what" if Master comes back and finds a paper like this. He will have your hide."
"Sure he will. All I will get is another lecture, extra meditations, and maybe have to stand in the corner for a couple of hours. I am getting use to all that "bunk" now. It's better than having to battle through those questions; Questions that if I were really a Jedi I wouldn't need to know anyway. I would not need them fighting wars and traveling the galaxies."
"Boy they really did do a job on your "gray matter" in your head on the planet Cirrus. You can't remember anything. Even your academic work is suffering from your lack of memory. I am beginning to think the council is right. They should have sent you to a foster home and Master shouldn't have been pigheaded enough to keep you with us. You will never be a Jedi, unless something in that thick head of yours clicks and you get at least some of your memory back."
"What do you mean, send me away? Is that what the council wanted Master Jinn to do with me? They don't think I will ever regain my memory enough to become a Jedi?"
Obi-Wan did not know the reasoning behind it, but it actually hurt him to think he would never become a Jedi knight. Of course he had no memory of why it should hurt him. He did not remember that becoming a Jedi knight was his ultimate goal in his life; what he had strived for since coming to the temple when he was two years old.
Xanatos stood and watched the reaction of Obi-Wan. He had not intended to hurt the younger padawan's feelings. He was trying to make him see how important studying and listening to their master was. He evidently went about it the wrong way. He evoked Obi-Wan's anger to the maximum, with his statements.
"So you think you will be a Jedi knight any faster than I will? I have got news for you, pada wan. You just think you are favored in our master's eyes. He is right now checking up on you as we speak."
"You are nuts Obi. We are here to see how my father's government is progressing. That is all."
"That's not what I heard our master tell Master Windu. He said he had not found any clear clues that would prove your innocence, but he was still looking. What does that sound like? I don't think he's out there checking on the government or you and I could have gone with him. He's checking up on you behind your back."
"You'll say anything won't you Kenobi, just to try and get me angry. I plan to tell Master Jinn about your deceptions when he returns."
"Don't tell him without me here to witness it. I want to see what kind of lies he makes up too smooth things over with his "supposed pet"."
"That's enough you little ungrateful punk. Master has gone against the council to keep you with him and you sit here and tell lies on him."
"I am not the one who lies, he is."
Xanatos reached out to grab for Obi-Wan. He was going to make him go to his room, but his missed the younger boy's arm. Obi-Wan swung his arm to avoid Xanatos' grip on him. He whirled around and was thinking how if he were just a little bit bigger or older he would shove Xani a crossed the room to get him to back off. With the thoughts came the actions. It shocked Obi . He threw his arm out.
"Get away from me."
With his arm stuck straight out and his finger pointed directly at Xanatos he could feel some kind of energy come from him and hit Xanatos. The older padawan went flying a crossed the room, hit the wall with a thud, and crumpled to the floor. Padawan Crion had to shake his head to clear his mind. Obi-Wan did not know what was happening but he decided he was not finished and that Xanatos would fight back after what he did to him. He walked toward the other apprentice.
Jinn came in just in time to see Obi-Wan point his finger at Xanatos and send what Obi-Wan thought looked like a bolt of electricity to the other padawan's body as "Xani" tried to stumble to his feet. Xanatos again fell to the floor in pain and confusion.
Qui-Gon rushed over and took Obi-Wan by the back of his tunic collar. The boy by now was in a rage. He was not aware that his master had come in and he did not know who had a hold of his collar. He summoned up the force not even sure how he was doing it, but he did what he did the last time.. It worked. This time though he elbowed his master in the ribs, still not knowing who had a hold of him. With the power of the force behind the elbow jab to his master's ribs, Jinn released his grip on Obi as he went sailing back against the opposite wall that Xanatos had hit.. A crack was heard and the big master knew without a doubt one or more of his ribs broke under the pressure of the force jab.
Obi-Wan was like someone possessed. He was surprised to see that he had just successfully decked his master. Had he known it was Master Jinn he would not have harmed him. It was too late for regret. He stood in the middle of the room and stared at both master and "other" apprentice, who were now sitting on the floor dazed. Xani started to get up and head toward Obi-Wan.
"No Padawan, stay where you are. I will handle this."
Obi-Wan regretted ever having started this. To begin with he did not know how he could have possessed so much power to do so much damage to two Jedi. He started to apologize.
"Look Master, Xani I am sor…"
All at once Obi-Wan felt his legs grow weak and turned to Jell-O. His head spun with dizziness. He tried to say something, but found he could not get his mouth to form words. It was his turn to crumple to the floor as he let the blackness of unconsciousness overtake him.
Xanatos realized that Master Jinn put some kind of force hold on the child. It rendered him totally unconscious. He would not be able to harm another person with his powers that Padawan Kenobi neither knew he had nor how to control them.
"What in the name of "Yoda" is going on? What brought on such an attack on you by him?"
"I am not sure Master. I told him to redo his math work and then he started spewing a bunch of lies about why we were here. He said I would have just as much trouble becoming a knight as he would because the real reason we were here was because you were checking up on me?" Is there truth in that?"
Xanatos knew this was not exactly the right time to discuss this with his master, but when the memory of what Obi-Wan said to him popped back in his mind he had to know the truth.
Jinn was still holding to his ribs, trying to send healing energy to correct the two broken ones. He waited before speaking, knowing he would have to tell his padawan something.
"Well Xani it is not like you think. I mean…"
Qui-Gon was bending down over Obi-Wan to check the boy as he was speaking to Xanatos.
"So Kenobi wasn't making up lies, like I accused him of.. We are here because you are checking up on me, why? What have I done that you would lie to me my master?"
"Look help me get Obi-Wan to the bed then I will tell you everything."
Xanatos went immediately to where Obi-Wan lay on the floor. He picked the Obi-Wan up and took him to his room, never even making direct eye contact with his master. Qui-Gon followed him.
" Xani give me a minute to check the boy's vitals, then you and I will have a talk, all right?"
""Not now master. I have to go for a walk and release some of this anger I feel toward you right now. I can't believe you felt the need to lie to me about anything. Anything you wanted to know about what happened when I was here; I would have gladly told you. All you had to do was ask. You take care of Obi-Wan. I will be back when I think I am more able to handle discussing this with you. Right now I am afraid I might end up like Obi-Wan did earlier and let my emotions rule our discussion. I am sure we both would not want that to happen. We both might end up saying things we would regret later."
Jinn knew there was no use talking to Xani right now. He heard the door slam as Xanatos left, leaving him to deal with his other padawan, Obi-Wan……….
PEACE ewen
"Plan you do, to care for your apprentice on your own, without intervention?"
"Yes Master Yoda. Even the healers say Obi-Wan would regain his memory more quickly if he stays in the familiar confines of his home, his own bed, but most importantly with me."
"I bet it wasn't the healer that was bitten by him who thought he should stay here."
Mace was one of Jinn's oldest and dearest friends. He was also dead set against having Obi-Wan stay at the temple. He thought he should go to the foster home, which had been procured for him by the council. It was a retired Jedi master who offered housing to Obi-Wan until his memory was restored.
"Mace I am not going to change my mind. I plan to help Obi-Wan in his recovery, not send him to strangers where he would be even more confused and terrified."
"And what of your other apprentice?"
What do you mean, what of him? I can train Xanatos too."
"Planned we had not to tell you disturbing news of Xanatos. Feel now we must. Accusations leveled against him there has been. Accused of killing his captives while Telos he has been. Truth we have not found of these actions."
Jinn was taken aback by this news.
"You can't be serious.. Someone has accused Xanatos of murder?"
"Quite simply put, yes. He has been accused of taking the captives he had and having them executed."
Mace hated to relay the news to Qui-Gon but with his precarious position with his other padawan; he felt Qui-Gon should know the accusations against his other padawan.
"Did you confront Xanatos with this? Of course you didn't. In all the council's wisdom, you seek the truth behind my padawan's back. Why not ask him? I know he is not guilty of what he is accused. He would never round up prisoners and kill them."
"Search for the truth the council will as they see fit and with "our own wisdom". Until then keep silent to Padawan Xanatos, you also will. Continue his training. So far, the council has found nothing it has to incriminate your older padawan. Sincerely hope we do, no proof of wrongdoing is found. Things could get hectic with the child too care for. Sure you are that keep him you plan too?"
"Yes I plan to keep Obi-Wan and I plan to clear my other padawan's name. I will be doing some investigating on Xanatos' behalf. I will not tell him for now what is going on. However, I do hope the council finishes their own investigation soon. I hate going behind Xanatos' back, treating him like a common criminal."
"Very well Qui. You can keep Obi-Wan with you as long as he does not become a problem here at the temple. See to it he doesn't injure any of the other padawans."
"Mace I have never known you to talk so unfairly about Obi-Wan."
"He is not the young man he was before Qui. I just don't want to see your Jedi career destroyed by misplaced loyalties."
"Right. You sound like Xanatos. So much worry for me. I think you and the council should be more worried about my padawan and not me.
"Worried about both of you I am Master Jinn. See that Obi-Wan remains under your constant care. See also your loyalties are focused."
Jinn did not know exactly what Yoda meant. His loyalties lay with Obi-Wan for now. He could not even think of his Jedi career with Obi-Wan's future hanging in such an unsure balance. He was equally concerned for his older padawan, Xanatos. Jinn felt it would have been better just to confront Xani with the accusations and go from there. The council seemed determined to go behind his back to find his guilt or innocence.
####
Jinn returned to his apartment he shared with Xani and Obi-Wan. He found his two apprentices in an intense argument over mid-day meal.
"Do you really think I planned to eat that slop you have prepared? Well I guess I showed you."
Jinn could see that Xanatos had just finished cleaning up what was to have been Obi-Wan's meal, off the kitchen floor."
Xanatos looked up to Qui-Gon for help when he saw his master enter the kitchen area.
Qui-Gon quickly sat down at the table to enjoy the stew and pull-apart bread Xanatos had prepared for his master. Jinn motioned for Xanatos, who also sat down without another word.
.
"I think you are absolutely right Obi-Wan. If you don't like the stew Xanatos and I plan to have for mid-day meal, I think you should not have to eat it."
"You aren't helping matters Master. You can't give in and let him have his way all the time."
Obi-Wan crossed his arms over his chest as he sat there and exhibited a self-satisfied smile on his face. He thought he had won the battle.
"Come on Xani let's eat."
Jinn and Xanatos started eating their stew and bread..
"Aren't you going to have your "slave" here fix me something else to eat?"
"Xanatos is my padawan just as you are. Neither of you are slaves. If you don't want to eat what is front of you for mid-day meal, maybe your next meal will seem more appetizing. You will have nothing else offered to you until last-meal."
It was Xanatos' turn to plaster a self-satisfying smirk on his face. His master made a mental note to correct Xanatos when not in front of Obi-Wan concerning the mocking of the little padawan. Obi-Wan was acting like a small brat because he did not know better. Someone of Xanatos' age and training should not goad the little one…
"You can't be serious. I am hungry now!!"
"If you had been truly hungry now, you would have eaten the stew before you, instead of throwing it on the floor. Maybe you will feel more like eating what we have prepared this evening."
"No, I have changed my mind. I will eat it now."
"I am sorry my padawan. That's not how things are done around here. Your portion of the mid-day meal was just scooped up off the floor and put in the garbage by Xanatos. There will be nothing else prepared now."
Obi-Wan was furious with his master right now. Well he did not know that Jinn was in fact his master, but the big man before him was making Obi-Wan more and more angry and unhappy about his present situation.
The younger Jedi got up and stomped to the main living area, accenting every move as he flopped himself down on the common room sofa.
Jinn continued eating, never looking up as he spoke to Obi-Wan again.
"I will overlook it this time, however when you want to be excused from the table, you will ask to be given permission to do so. I will not be so lenient and forgiving next time, if you do not follow my instructions to the letter young man."
The disgruntled padawan continued to pout and huff noises of discontentment while he sat on the sofa feeling very much ignored. Obi-Wan felt that Qui-Gon was being extremely cruel to him and he could not understand the reason, if he belonged here as the Master said he did. This being a Jedi seemed like a very strict and hard road to travel for the younger padawan who had no memory of his Jedi training.
Jinn went back to talking to Xanatos, planning his other padawan's training schedule with his saber. Qui-Gon would have to drag Obi-Wan with them. Jinn felt that for right now he could not safely leave the boy in their apartment unattended. If he escaped or happen to have a run-in with another padawan, it would only be used as fuel against him to try to get him sent to a foster home until he could recover his memories and Jedi training, if he ever did……..
Last-meal went without problems. Obi-Wan found that after missing mid-day meal and with his voracious appetite he did not put up an argument about what was sat before him. He gobbled the food down and as politely as his petulant behavior would allow, asked for and received a second helping of everything, even dessert..
After the kitchen was cleaned, the three Jedi headed to the saber practice area.
What started out as an exhilarating workout with sabers between master and apprentice turned into a catastrophe when Obi-Wan wanted to get in on the action? Qui-Gon patiently told him he had his own saber; however, it was put up for now for safekeeping. That provoked the padawan into another temper tantrum. He was not in a pleasant mood anyway over the confrontation with his master earlier in the day during mid-day meal. He thought Qui-Gon was putting too many restrictions on him and actually being cruel too him. Obi-Wan could not understand why if he had been a Jedi apprentice, he could not have his saber to play with.
That was the exact reason that Qui-Gon was not going to let him have it. He knew Obi-Wan had not retained any of his saber training and skills, certainly not enough to safely handle a saber, especially when his younger padawan said he wanted to play with his saber.
All the way back from the saber practice Qui-Gon could see Obi-Wan was sulking over having been told no to using a light saber.
"It is unbecoming of a Jedi to sulk and pout like a small child."
"You tell me I am Jedi. I have no memory of it. I have no memory of anything so I am not sure where I belong. I am getting the feeling that I do not like you or your padawan very much and am not sure I believe you when you say I belong here at all."
"Jedi do not lie. You are a Jedi-in- training. Even if you were not a Jedi, you should have enough common sense to act your age of fifteen and not a two-year old."
Qui-Gon threw back the equally stinging words to his padawan, just as Obi-wan had thrown them to him about not liking him. He realized when he said them they were as much out of truth as they were to hurt the padawan just as he had hurt Qui-Gon. No, he was not acting very Jedi-like himself right now. The boy had pushed the master to the limit..
The bitingly raw assessment of him did the trick; Obi-Wan blushed red with embarrassment over the harsh words. Obi-Wan remained silent during the balance of the walk back to the apartment
The hurling of insults back and forth from apprentice to master was not conducive in establishing some kind of working relationship.
It hurt Jinn to the core for Obi-Wan to say he didn't like him. He knew the boy's past with him as his master was wiped away. Jinn hoped that there would be a remnant of the training bond that would help connect them, but there was not. Obi-Wan was not even aware that he possessed Jedi powers.
The way Obi-Wan was acting right now, Jinn was glad he did not know of the immense powers he possessed. The child could use those powers for things that were not intended to be used, such as escaping or quite possibly to harm someone.
Qui-Gon released a long sigh. He was thinking that he could even be forced to put a force dampener on Obi-Wan if he found out about his powers and decided to use those powers against Jinn or anyone else. It could present a real problem with the boy and their almost nonexistent bond if Qui-Gon was forced into such actions.
#######
Things finally settled down for the evening. Qui-Gon encouraged Xanatos to go out with his friends. The apprentice certainly needed a break after having helped Qui-Gon deal with the very insubordinate Obi-Wan. With the help of a Jedi mind suggestion, Obi-Wan was tucked safely in his bed for the night. The boy would undoubtedly be very upset the next morning once he realized his master intentionally induced his sleep so that Qui-Gon could get a little peace and quiet. Jinn also wanted to be alone to go over the testimony of Xanatos' accuser concerning his supposed murders of his captives while on Telos.
The accuser turned out to be one of Xanatos' rivals on the planet, Norton Gilroy. The young man had hoped to succeed Xanatos' father, as the ruler since Xanatos had committed his life to the Jedi and was not willing to help rule his planet. Lord Crion chose instead a cousin to Xanatos to be trained as his successor, not exactly what Norton wanted.
Qui-Gon now had his motive for why Gilroy would have lied on his padawan.. He just had to find out what really happened to the captives that had tried to overthrow the government of Telos. Where they still in prison, released, or as Xanatos had been accused of, murdered? If they were murdered, Jinn knew that would complicate the investigation even more. He was sure his padawan would not have killed them, but if they were dead, then Jinn would have to find out who was responsible for their deaths.
Qui-Gon massaged the bridge of his nose trying to stifle the headache he was again threatening to get. Since he had gotten Obi-Wan back, the big master was truly stressed out. Now things were even more complicated because of trying to prove his other padawan's innocence in an accusation of a slaughter of his captives.
With knock at the door, Qui-Gon looked up to see his old friend Mace Windu standing there waiting to be asked in.
"You know by all rights I shouldn't invite you in my home after what you said about Obi-Wan."
"Come on Qui. You know I have Obi-Wan's best interests in mind just as you do. I also worry about you, my old friend."
Mace slapped the knee of Jinn's and both exchanged smiles.
"Well I guess you do. I just know it is best for Obi-Wan to be with me. I only have one concern."
Mace sat down on the edge of Qui-Gon's desk to listen to his friend.
"What is that may I ask?"
"Well to thoroughly investigate what happened on Telos I need to go there. But Obi-Wan needs to be here."
"If it will help you I can care for Obi-Wan."
"You seem awfully agreeable for someone who just about ripped my head off in front of the council for me wanting to keep Obi-Wan by my side."
"Had to try to do what I felt was best for you. But I see your mind is made up. I know well enough that I can't change it. May I make a suggestion?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"Talk to the healers again. They basically said that the most important place for Obi-Wan to be was by your side. Maybe the familiarity of a mission by your side would be just as beneficial as being at the temple. Then you, Xanatos, and Obi-Wan could go to Telos and get to the bottom of this. The council has gotten no where in their investigation of Xanatos. I myself thought it would be worth sending someone there to investigate."
"Good. I think I will have a talk with the healers and then the council about going. I am glad I have someone on my side."
Mace got up to leave and rolled his eyes over Jinn's last comment.
"You know you always have Master Yoda on your side, no matter how well he tries to hide it."
#########
Everything had been settled with the healers and the council. Qui-Gon with both padawans set out on a made up reason for going to Telos. Xanatos still did not know the truth as to why they were going. Obi-Wan did not at first want to go, but he thought it would be less boring than being held captive in his apartment with a disagreeable master and grumpy padawan, Xani.
Qui-Gon was convinced that Obi-Wan was trying to prove he was a very typical teenager by doing every unruly and mischievous thing normal teenagers did.
Obi-Wan had gone from the ideal apprentice to an obnoxious, sulking, messy teenager. If Qui-Gon asked Obi-wan to do something, then he would always have to repeat it because of the procrastinating teenager. Qui-Gon was beginning to suspect that Obi-Wan did things just to annoy the master, but in truth he did them because he was so confused and in many ways hurt by the master's sometimes callous way he corrected him.. The master seemed to criticize more than correct. Obi-Wan did not see the master helping him get his memory back, Jinn seemed to be making him a Jedi without any memory of ever being one. Obi-Wan was supposed to know how to act, but of course he didn't. The young one would become frustrated and then angry. That anger would exhibit itself always in front of his master, doing away with any forward momentum they might have made in their shaky relationship.
Of course the Jedi were the guests of Lord Crion while they stayed on Telos. Lord Crion was temporarily away, but they had been given full rein of the castle that was once Xani's home. Obi-Wan liked the idea of staying in the castle and having anything at his fingertips that could ever want. The only problem was "his" master would not let him have any of the luscious food or indulge in the game room or pool. Instead the Jedi kept the rigorous regime of bland boring foods, constant meditation, never-ending academic studies, and very little extra curricular activities. That only heightened the animosity between the two; Obi-Wan taking the Jedi training as a punishment not as it was meant to be, Jedi conditioning.
Obi-Wan could not figure out why it was necessary not to enjoy any of life's pleasures just to be a Jedi. If that were truly the case he did not want to be a Jedi. He voiced the very same sentiments to his master. The only thing he netted from the unforgivable confession was standing in the corner for the rest of the afternoon and two hours of extra meditation.
Things were not going well with his youngest padawan and not much better for the older one. Jinn went out to the city and spoke with several people that were involved with the battle that Xanatos led, but no one seemed to know what happened to men after they were captured.
It was after one of the conversations when Jinn was making the ones he had just spoken with, forget the said conversation, that a horrible idea struck the master. He was making these people forget about their conversation with him. What if Xanatos made them forget what happened to the captives. Xanatos was far enough and experienced enough in his Jedi training that he could have, with a sweep of his one hand make everyone forget anything he wished them too. If he did that then why didn't he make Norton Gilroy forget also?
Jinn felt guilty for having thought of ways Xanatos could deceive others, but he had to think everything through, even the possibility that Xani did it. That would have been the only way he would have gotten away with it.
Jinn called Mace on the comm and they talked things over. The one thing the master did not know was that Obi-Wan was intently listening to everything Master Jinn was saying to Mace. Obi-Wan did not understand all that was being said but knew enough to know Master Jinn was not telling him or Xanatos the truth about why they were here on Telos.
//So the Jedi never lie, RIGHT!!!! When it is the great Master Qui-Gon Jinn doing it, I guess sidestepping the truth is different. //
Obi-Wan was clearly not acting like his caring, harmonious self. An almost evil smile crossed the younger padawan's face.
//Now I will have a little ammo when "Xani" starts on me again. Wait till he finds out we are here to investigate him in some way. I guess Master Jinn doesn't trust him anymore than he trusts me……………//
Searching for proof of Xanatos' innocence kept Master Jinn busy. That left Obi-Wan in Xanatos' care quite often. Xanatos tried to be tolerant of the "other" apprentice and he really did try to be good to Obi-Wan. There was one major problem when it came to dealing with Obi-Wan; he made it difficult for anyone to be nice to him.
Not having his memory was wearing on the boy's demeanor heavily. He wanted to remember what it was like to be a Jedi; to be Master Jinn's apprentice, but he just seemed not to be able too. He thought if his memory would return about him being a Jedi apprentice and the master was telling the truth, then his life would be easier. For right now Obi-Wan was a normal teenager unaware of his powers and his Jedi training. He was like a normal teen but the problem was acerbated by the fact he should not be normal but far ahead and more mature than a teen his age. However, he had no memory of it.
Master Jinn's patience was wearing thinner and thinner with his little padawan. He was so focused on finding the truth about Xanatos that Obi's problems took the back seat in the problem department. Obi-Wan was beginning to notice that his problems were replaced by the need or desire for his master to deal with whatever he was dealing with where Xanatos was concerned. The little padawan was getting more and more jealous of Xanatos with each passing day.
Xanatos had just finished going over Obi-Wan's mathematical equations for mistakes. After red-marking several answers for being wrong, "Xani" decided he would not check more of them. He tossed the work back to Obi-Wan.
"Just go ahead and completely redo them. There is not enough room to keep putting marks on the wrong answers. You didn't even check to verify the accuracy of any of these math equations. You just barreled through them so you could say you finished them."
"Smart dutiful padawan. Found out my secret did you? I tired of doing them. If they are wrong, so what? Master said to finish them. He did not say they all had too be right."
"You will think "so what" if Master comes back and finds a paper like this. He will have your hide."
"Sure he will. All I will get is another lecture, extra meditations, and maybe have to stand in the corner for a couple of hours. I am getting use to all that "bunk" now. It's better than having to battle through those questions; Questions that if I were really a Jedi I wouldn't need to know anyway. I would not need them fighting wars and traveling the galaxies."
"Boy they really did do a job on your "gray matter" in your head on the planet Cirrus. You can't remember anything. Even your academic work is suffering from your lack of memory. I am beginning to think the council is right. They should have sent you to a foster home and Master shouldn't have been pigheaded enough to keep you with us. You will never be a Jedi, unless something in that thick head of yours clicks and you get at least some of your memory back."
"What do you mean, send me away? Is that what the council wanted Master Jinn to do with me? They don't think I will ever regain my memory enough to become a Jedi?"
Obi-Wan did not know the reasoning behind it, but it actually hurt him to think he would never become a Jedi knight. Of course he had no memory of why it should hurt him. He did not remember that becoming a Jedi knight was his ultimate goal in his life; what he had strived for since coming to the temple when he was two years old.
Xanatos stood and watched the reaction of Obi-Wan. He had not intended to hurt the younger padawan's feelings. He was trying to make him see how important studying and listening to their master was. He evidently went about it the wrong way. He evoked Obi-Wan's anger to the maximum, with his statements.
"So you think you will be a Jedi knight any faster than I will? I have got news for you, pada wan. You just think you are favored in our master's eyes. He is right now checking up on you as we speak."
"You are nuts Obi. We are here to see how my father's government is progressing. That is all."
"That's not what I heard our master tell Master Windu. He said he had not found any clear clues that would prove your innocence, but he was still looking. What does that sound like? I don't think he's out there checking on the government or you and I could have gone with him. He's checking up on you behind your back."
"You'll say anything won't you Kenobi, just to try and get me angry. I plan to tell Master Jinn about your deceptions when he returns."
"Don't tell him without me here to witness it. I want to see what kind of lies he makes up too smooth things over with his "supposed pet"."
"That's enough you little ungrateful punk. Master has gone against the council to keep you with him and you sit here and tell lies on him."
"I am not the one who lies, he is."
Xanatos reached out to grab for Obi-Wan. He was going to make him go to his room, but his missed the younger boy's arm. Obi-Wan swung his arm to avoid Xanatos' grip on him. He whirled around and was thinking how if he were just a little bit bigger or older he would shove Xani a crossed the room to get him to back off. With the thoughts came the actions. It shocked Obi . He threw his arm out.
"Get away from me."
With his arm stuck straight out and his finger pointed directly at Xanatos he could feel some kind of energy come from him and hit Xanatos. The older padawan went flying a crossed the room, hit the wall with a thud, and crumpled to the floor. Padawan Crion had to shake his head to clear his mind. Obi-Wan did not know what was happening but he decided he was not finished and that Xanatos would fight back after what he did to him. He walked toward the other apprentice.
Jinn came in just in time to see Obi-Wan point his finger at Xanatos and send what Obi-Wan thought looked like a bolt of electricity to the other padawan's body as "Xani" tried to stumble to his feet. Xanatos again fell to the floor in pain and confusion.
Qui-Gon rushed over and took Obi-Wan by the back of his tunic collar. The boy by now was in a rage. He was not aware that his master had come in and he did not know who had a hold of his collar. He summoned up the force not even sure how he was doing it, but he did what he did the last time.. It worked. This time though he elbowed his master in the ribs, still not knowing who had a hold of him. With the power of the force behind the elbow jab to his master's ribs, Jinn released his grip on Obi as he went sailing back against the opposite wall that Xanatos had hit.. A crack was heard and the big master knew without a doubt one or more of his ribs broke under the pressure of the force jab.
Obi-Wan was like someone possessed. He was surprised to see that he had just successfully decked his master. Had he known it was Master Jinn he would not have harmed him. It was too late for regret. He stood in the middle of the room and stared at both master and "other" apprentice, who were now sitting on the floor dazed. Xani started to get up and head toward Obi-Wan.
"No Padawan, stay where you are. I will handle this."
Obi-Wan regretted ever having started this. To begin with he did not know how he could have possessed so much power to do so much damage to two Jedi. He started to apologize.
"Look Master, Xani I am sor…"
All at once Obi-Wan felt his legs grow weak and turned to Jell-O. His head spun with dizziness. He tried to say something, but found he could not get his mouth to form words. It was his turn to crumple to the floor as he let the blackness of unconsciousness overtake him.
Xanatos realized that Master Jinn put some kind of force hold on the child. It rendered him totally unconscious. He would not be able to harm another person with his powers that Padawan Kenobi neither knew he had nor how to control them.
"What in the name of "Yoda" is going on? What brought on such an attack on you by him?"
"I am not sure Master. I told him to redo his math work and then he started spewing a bunch of lies about why we were here. He said I would have just as much trouble becoming a knight as he would because the real reason we were here was because you were checking up on me?" Is there truth in that?"
Xanatos knew this was not exactly the right time to discuss this with his master, but when the memory of what Obi-Wan said to him popped back in his mind he had to know the truth.
Jinn was still holding to his ribs, trying to send healing energy to correct the two broken ones. He waited before speaking, knowing he would have to tell his padawan something.
"Well Xani it is not like you think. I mean…"
Qui-Gon was bending down over Obi-Wan to check the boy as he was speaking to Xanatos.
"So Kenobi wasn't making up lies, like I accused him of.. We are here because you are checking up on me, why? What have I done that you would lie to me my master?"
"Look help me get Obi-Wan to the bed then I will tell you everything."
Xanatos went immediately to where Obi-Wan lay on the floor. He picked the Obi-Wan up and took him to his room, never even making direct eye contact with his master. Qui-Gon followed him.
" Xani give me a minute to check the boy's vitals, then you and I will have a talk, all right?"
""Not now master. I have to go for a walk and release some of this anger I feel toward you right now. I can't believe you felt the need to lie to me about anything. Anything you wanted to know about what happened when I was here; I would have gladly told you. All you had to do was ask. You take care of Obi-Wan. I will be back when I think I am more able to handle discussing this with you. Right now I am afraid I might end up like Obi-Wan did earlier and let my emotions rule our discussion. I am sure we both would not want that to happen. We both might end up saying things we would regret later."
Jinn knew there was no use talking to Xani right now. He heard the door slam as Xanatos left, leaving him to deal with his other padawan, Obi-Wan……….
PEACE ewen