The Council Chambers were deathly quiet as Qui-Gon and his former apprentice stepped in. Just like nine years prior, all twelve Council members were present, although some looked embarrassed to be there, namely the ones who had voted for Obi-Wan's expulsion.

Yoda, as usual, sat in the middle, and quietly listening as Master Adi Gallia broke the silence.

"We are here to discuss former Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi's crime, the one that he was expelled from the Order for. The Council has already gone over the evidence provided by Master Qui-Gon Jinn, his Padawan Anakin Skywalker and the royal family of Halith. We have only a few questions to ask Obi-Wan, and then we will come to a desicion."

Obi-Wan moved forward, into the centre of the crescent, and awaited his tribunal. His hands were placed behind his back, his shoulder length hair pulled back into a ponytail, and his piercing grey-blue eyes stared forward.

Qui-Gon stood near the rear of the room, only there if needed for additional clarification. Anakin waited anxiously outside the Chambers, as he was not needed at the moment.

Master Plo Koon, a long-time friend of Qui-Gon, posed the first question.

"If you are not guilty of this crime, then why did you not plead innocent?" asked the Dorin Jedi.

Obi-Wan showed no signs of discomfort, if he felt any at all. "I did plead innocent, if you would recall Master, but the Council still voted against me." he said, in a cold, clear voice.

Tension floated high in the air between the two beings for a moment, but quickly dissipated when Depa Billaba moved in with another question.

"If you were framed by King Renon, then who blackmailed him into doing it?" questioned the Chalactan master.

"I do not know." answered Obi-Wan honestly, while meeting Depa's gaze. "But I hope to find out, if the Council allows me." A stray note of sarcasm seemed to creep into Obi-Wan's voice, but it was only detected by Qui-Gon, as he was once the young man's master.

The Council, if the had heard it, ignored the inflection in the young man's voice. Yoda spoke next, in his alternate fashion of talking.

"Wish to return do you, to the Jedi?"

At this Obi-Wan seemed to draw himself inwards, as if a great internal battle were occurring. He remained like this for a few moments, while the rest of the room's occupants watched curiously. Finally, after a long pause, he spoke.

"No." he said softly, so softly in fact that at least one Council member had to lean forward.

"Why?" asked the diminutive master once more.

Again, Obi-Wan's tone of voice was very light, as if he were standing twenty feet away. "Because the last time I entrusted my life to the Jedi, I ended up in exile on an uninhabited planet. That is not something I am eager to repeat." All through his words, Obi-Wan's facial expression never changed. Qui-Gon could tell that his once impulsive and rash Padawan had grown up.

And the fact that he had no been present to witness it made him sad.

The Council signalled for a moment of discussion, and Obi-Wan stepped back to where Qui-Gon was sitting. They did not speak, although Qui-Gon wished that he could reassure, just like he did years ago.

"You didn't the final time."

At first, Qui-Gon could hardly make out the barely audible words. His first thoughts were that he had thought that phrase, but he soon realized that it had been Obi-Wan. The shock ran through him like electricity, and the truth ran through him.

Obi-Wan had read his mind.

This was a truly grandiose feat, as Qui-Gon had practically impenetrable mind shields. He had been taught by Master Yoda himself, and the fact that Obi-Wan had broken through them was.... astonishing to say the least! His ex-apprentice had grown very powerful in the past nine years.

//Yes, I have. There is not much else to do on a jungle world.// came the sarcastic thoughts in Qui-Gon's mind, coming from the man beside him.

He was about to respond out loud when Master Mace Windu interrupted. "We have decided to permit you to investigate this mystery." the dark-skinned man said.

Obi-Wan's shoulders visibly straightened, leading Qui-Gon to the conclusion that the young man had believed he would not have been permitted.

"But you must take Master Qui-Gon and his Padawan with you, as this is also a Jedi investigation." the tall Master added.

"Thank you, Masters." Obi-Wan replied, giving a small bow. With that, he left the room, leaving the twelve masters and Qui-Gon Jinn behind.

*Sorry, it's short, but in the next chapter, we will get to see it from Obi-Wan's POV!!!! J J