Joint Authors: Padawan Nik-ka and Wild Horse
Chapter Author: wild horse
POV: Qui-gon
Summary: -
Disclaimer: Star Wars belongs to George Lucas.
A/N: as you can see, this is a joint fic. So… Padawan Nik-ka will tell Obi's side of the story and Wild Horse (me!) will do Qui's
Chapter 2:
Qui-gon frowned as he walked to the Council Room. Obi-wan seemed to have, well, lost focus. It was probably just a lapse in concentration – perhaps the boy had other things on his mind. Still, a Jedi must never lose focus. It took only a nanosecond of inattention, to miss a crucial handhold, to fail to block a fatal bolt, to end up dead on the floor. Qui-gon knew the importance of always being focused. He had seen Jedi die when they had let down their guard for that small an amount of time.
Focus, focus, focus. He was as hard with himself as he was with Obi-wan. He couldn't afford not to be. Not after Xanatos…
The Jedi Master closed his eyes for a brief moment as the memory washed over him. It had been his fault then. His fault for overlooking every shortcoming Xanatos had.
Focus! Qui-gon brought his wandering thoughts back from the past, back to the present. Xanatos was dead, had been so for quite some time already. Master Windu hadn't sounded too pleased when he had contacted him. Something was afoot, Qui-gon sensed, though he couldn't tell what.
The door slid open, Qui-gon stepped in and bowed. Master Windu acknowledged him with a slight, curt nod, then plunged straight into the matter, as was his usual style.
"The council has requested your presence today for several reasons…" Master Windu began.
Qui-gon immediately racked his brains furiously, trying to figure out if he had 'misinterpreted' any orders lately, as was often the case. He couldn't think of anything, so he assumed it couldn't be about that. Hoped it wasn't, actually, because the Council often gave long lectures about that sort of thing. If Obi-wan thought his Master's lectures were bad, he evidently hadn't received one of the Council's.
"…Concerning your Padawan Learner, and an assignment." Mace added somewhat reassuringly, as if reading Qui-gon's thoughts.
It didn't reassure Qui-gon, if anything, it only made things worse. He was more comfortable dealing with his own problems than with Obi-wan's. He just nodded, hoping the Council hadn't picked up on his thoughts.
"Padawan Kenobi practically walked into me just a few hours ago," Master Windu said, rather disapprovingly.
Qui-gon nodded again, "So he told me. You can be sure I had a talk with him about that."
Mace Windu's eyes narrowed, "You are aware that this alone would not constitute strange behaviour, but I'm afraid that some of Obi-wan's teachers have reported that, of late, he has not been working as well in classes."
Qui-gon decided against nodding again, and frowned slightly. "The teachers did not inform me." That would clear the blame off Obi-wan, he figured. And buy me time to figure out what is happening. Obi-wan had better have a good reason for this, or else…
"And you did not notice that your Padawan was acting strangely?" this coming from Adi Gallia.
"No, only sometimes. It didn't strike me as particularly noteworthy," Qui-gon wanted to shoot her a murderous glare, but quickly decided against it. Trust Adi to go straight to the point and drive it home right where it would hurt most.
"Master Qui-gon, you must realise that it is the Council's responsibility to ensure that Padawan Learners are properly trained and guided, and are not straying away from the Jedi Teachings," Master Windu again.
Ouch. That one hurt, even though Mace had tried to put it as nicely as possible. Qui-gon knew what was on their minds – Xanatos, whom he had blindly let fall. He supposed they had a right to remind him about his failure. Master Windu's remark hadn't required a reply, so Qui-gon didn't give it.
"I trust the Council does not need to remind you that several years ago, the Apprentice in question voluntarily left the Jedi Order…" Ki-Adi-Mundi started.
That was almost too much to take. Qui-gon reined in his annoyance, replaced it with calm, then interrupted, trying to sound polite, "I have complete faith in my Apprentice's ability, as well as where his allegiance lies."
"Qui-gon, although Obi-wan's probation has long ended, we are still keeping a close eye on him. Frankly, his recent behaviour is not up to standard, and is totally unacceptable. There are some of us, in the Council, who think he may not still have the focus, commitment and determination to serve in the Jedi Order," Mace Windu delivered the ultimatum.
"If Obi-wan is forced to leave the Jedi Order, then I will leave with him," Qui-gon stated unflinchingly. He could almost hear the Council members give a resigned sigh.
Mace Windu eyed him cautiously for awhile, before saying, "The situation is still open to further evaluation. Meanwhile, there is something else the Council would like to discuss with you. We have lost contact for a week with a Jedi Master and her Padawan, sent out on an assignment a month ago. The situation may be dangerous, and the Council has decided to send you out to re-establish contact and to find and bring them back to the Jedi Temple."
Qui-gon nodded, but just barely. "And my Apprentice?" he had picked up on the fact that Mace Windu had not mentioned Obi-wan.
Ki-Adi-Mundi answered for Master Windu, "Obi-wan will remain here."
The thought of retaliating against that crossed Qui-gon's mind, but he pushed it away. The Council was already rather annoyed, better not to annoy them any more that he had to. Besides, he didn't think he could change their decision on that.
"Very well," Qui-gon answered. "When do I leave?"
"One hour from now. The ship will be ready in the hangar," Ki-Adi-Mundi looked slightly surprised at Qui-gon's lack of retaliation. "May the Force be with you."
Qui-gon bowed and left the room.
The first thing Qui-gon did was look for Obi-wan, to inform his Apprentice that he was going away and to tell him about what the Council had said. He checked Obi-wan's quarters first, but couldn't find anyone. Then, he checked the training rooms.
Still no one.
Obi-wan had probably run off somewhere, he figured. Qui-gon reached out through Bond, searching for his Apprentice. Obi-wan didn't seem to be in any trouble, and besides, Qui-gon knew he was going to be late if he waited any longer, so he walked off to his quarters, picked up his mission gear, and headed for the hangar.