Another story, there is. Better than the others, I hope.

-Yoda to me when he found out I was using him again

Disclaimer-everything belongs to George Lucas and the title belongs to Nickelback. The story, however, belongs to me

The title of the story kindda goes with the Nickelback song by the same name. Obi-Wan comes into play in the next chapter, so don't worry.

~Blazer~
July 13, 2002

BREATHE

PART ONE:

THERE ARE ALWAYS DOUBTS

Qui-Gon walked down the corridor of the Temple in a good mood.

Today was his day. Today was a cause for celebration and joy. He wanted to leap and sing at the top of his lungs. Life was great, and life was grand. He smiled as he walked. Today would not be shamed by the shadow Qui-Gon could feel lurking in his mind because of the Last One.

Anakin turned thirteen today.

Today, Qui-Gon officially had a Padawan. A Padawan who would bring balance to the Force and live up to Qui-Gon's expectations, and Qui-Gon did set them high. His Padawan was the Chosen One, the one who would cast out the dark and shine the galaxy with light. Yes, today was a great day.

Qui-Gon didn't want to think about the one who had preceded Anakin. That one brought disrespect to all Jedi. The thought of him brought a bad taste to Qui-Gon's mouth.

Qui-Gon loathed the man. To say his name was poison. So what if he had been Qui-Gon's Padawan for twelve years? So what if he had loved him such as a son? So what if he had risked his life for Qui-Gon time after time? So what? Nothing about him mattered anymore. The very indication of his name was taboo. He wasn't the Chosen One. He didn't matter.

No one was as important as the Chosen One. Nothing was as important as the training of the Chosen One. Nothing and no one. Not even…

"Hello, Qui-Gon," Mace Windu said as he fell into step beside Qui-Gon.

Qui-Gon wanted to curse Mace for interrupting his thinking process. Not even…Mace Windu. Yes, yes. That fit perfectly. Just what he was thinking.

"Hello, Mace." Qui-Gon hoped Mace caught the impatient in his voice and took the hint. He needed to speak with Anakin. Anakin had a very special birthday gift waiting for him once he came to their apartments from classes…

Mace paused, but he pushed on. "The Council is expecting you in an hour to discuss the situation of Anakin's first mission."

Qui-Gon whirled on Mace. "What do you mean, ' the situation'?"

Mace regarded his friend with a wary eye. Lately, Mace had noticed a change in Qui-Gon. Actually, the change had started three years ago, but now it seemed to showing, and Mace didn't like what he saw. His eyes were regal as he regarded Qui-Gon. "Some Council members are expressing doubt of Anakin's readiness for his mission."

"What?" Qui-Gon's voice got loud and disbelieving. Some initiates looked over then scampered away very quickly. "What do you mean? ' His readiness?' That's not right, Mace. Anakin has been training for three years! Of course he's ready."

"Qui-Gon," Mace said steadily. "The Council knows that Anakin has made excellence progress since he arrived. Some Council members, however, believe he is too nervous and not in tune with the Force enough."

Qui-Gon's anger was palpable. "You're not serious. He's at the top of his class. He's in the fourteen-year-olds lightsaber classes. Believe me, he is ready." Qui-Gon did not say the obvious: Anakin was the Chosen One.

"We will discuss this with the Council," Mace said as if he had not heard Qui-Gon. "Anakin will be present. Do you understand me?"

"What else is there, Mace? I know you don't just doubt Anakin's readiness."

Mace hesitated, then pushed on. "You have not been on a mission in three years, not since O-"

"Don't speak that name in my presence," Qui-Gon said sharply.

Mace sighed. " There is no shame in what he did, Qui-Gon. Xanatos did the same thing."

Mace meant no harm, but Qui-Gon took the words the wrong way. "Oh, so is that how it goes? Do you see me as a failure because of what happened to my last two apprentices? Is that how you see me now? Jedi are individuals, Mace. What they do is by their own hand, not by their Master's."

The other Jedi groaned. "No, no, of course not, Qui-Gon. "

"Yes, it is!"

"You're acting immature!" Mace's voice was now angry. He stopped walking and faced his partner. "I will see you in the Council Chambers, and believe me, this episode will come up."

He turned and stormed away.

~*~*~*~

"He is ready, Masters," Qui-Gon said. He stood in front of the Council, Anakin Skywalker on his right. Outside, the sun was high, and speeders raced past the window. "Anakin has shown much improvement since he came here three years ago. He is at the top of his class. I request a mission for him, since today he is officially my Padawan."

Yoda leaned forward, his large eyes not blinking. "Questioning Skywalker's status, we are not. Questioning his readiness, we are. Came late to us, he did. Over the limit, we know. Three years of training, he has. Other Padawans, longer education, they have."

"I am certain he bypasses all those other Padawans," Qui-Gon said. "All I request is a small, diplomatic mission. I just want him to get used to the thinking process during missions, and what is required of him." He tried to meet each with a leveled stare, but all of them seemed to be staring at Anakin. Anakin was trying not to fidget, but was not doing too well.

Mace Windu and Yoda exchanged glances. It was at times like these that Qui-Gon found it annoying that the person Qui-Gon had exploded at was Yoda's right hand man. Mace looked at Qui-Gon calmly. Qui-Gon looked back at him, equally calm.

"Perhaps that is a good thing," Depa Billaba said slowly. "Not all Padawans get a chance such as this." Some Masters nodded in agreement.

Satisfied, Qui-Gon looked to Mace. There was no give in Mace's stare.

Yoda sighed. "Padawan Skywalker, leave now, please."

Anakin glanced at Qui-Gon, seeking his permission. The Jedi nodded. Anakin bowed to the Council, then turned and left through the open doors. Qui-Gon watched the young boy walk away, and felt a stab of pride hit his heart. The boy was so strong and so gifted and promised so much. He was all that the Last One was not.

Mace cleared his throat, shaking Qui-Gon from his thoughts. The look Mace gave him made Qui-Gon think that the other Master had read his mind.

"Aware, we are, of what transferred with Master Windu and you, today," Yoda said slowly. " On a mission, you have not been, for three years. Aware of this handicap, the Council is. Aware you may not be ready, the Council is. A small diplomatic mission, perhaps."

"Master Yoda," Qui-Gon said respectively, "I have not been in a mission due to the fact that I did not want to go on a mission without my Padawan."

"You are not over Obi-Wan," Mace said bluntly, though not cruelly.

Qui-Gon Jinn's body and mind radiated anger that surged through the Force and was felt by every Council member there. Yoda's ears twitched, and Mace Windu sat back as though he had been hit. Mace glanced at Yoda, and was surprised to see the elder Jedi was amused.

"A wound, then, this is?" Yoda asked.

Qui-Gon had to fight to hold in his rage. The Council could not know he was so close to the edge when he heard that name, so close to falling when he heard it. They couldn't know when he heard the name that he wanted to jump up and slash someone's throat out. He had to appear calm, had to appear in control. He needed this mission, if not for his sake, for Anakin's. The boy needed experience.

"Angry, a Jedi must not be," Yoda continued.

"Please, Masters," Qui-Gon pleaded. "A mission. Any mission. My anger will pass in time."

"Angry, you should not be," commented Yoda. "No shame, there is, in what Obi-Wan did."

Qui-Gon clenched his fist inside his cloak. "I understand, Master."

Yoda nodded slightly. "You do not. But a mission, we have for you."

Mace frowned. "This mission takes place on Naboo."

~*~*~*~

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