Qui-Gon looked down at the teenager and smiled. "Well, Jaden Hosk. It has been a while now, hasn't it?"

" 'Bout a year and a half."

Qui-Gon nodded. "So it has. And how have you been? Keeping up with your studies, I hope?"

"Yes sir. I've been moved up to the senior Padawan's class."

"Have you? That's great. Obi-Wan was also moved up to a senior class when he was a Padawan."

"So I've heard."

"Speaking of Obi-Wan, where is he at? I wanted to say hello before Anakin and I were off again."

"He's with Tasha. She's about to leave on a mission."

Qui-Gon nodded. "It seems like the Council is trying to keep us all from getting together again." He smiled to himself. "I wonder what they fear?"

"They don't want Obi-Wan, me, Tasha, you and Anakin to be together on a mission again?"

Qui-Gon shrugged. "I don't know. Perhaps it is just coincidence that we are always apart."

Jaden frowned, his Master's beliefs instilled in him as well. "I think they're up to something. I don't know what, but they're up to something."

"And what could the Jedi Council be up to, young Padawan?"

"I don't know. They seem to fear Anakin and me. Like we're always on the brink of the darkside. They also seem to fear the bond between my Master and Tasha."

"What they've done is against the Code, Jaden. A Jedi shall not know love."

"Why? What can it do that is so horrible? And how can you stop it? It's a natural thing. How can you keep from falling in love, other than becoming a nasty old nerf like Master Windu?"

Qui-Gon smiled slightly. "You shouldn't talk about your Masters that way, Jaden. They are wise Jedi, the wisest we have."

Jaden sighed. "I just don't agree with it all."

Qui-Gon put a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Don't worry, Jaden. Neither do I and neither does your Master. I'm afraid a little more than my knowledge of the Force seems to have rubbed off on him."

"What do you mean?"

"Obi-Wan Kenobi did not always challenge the Council and the Code, young Padawan. He once followed the Code to the letter. But that was long ago. He's grown up since then, seen more of the galaxy. I just hope his believes do not hinder him."

Jaden nodded. "Me too. Some of the other Masters look at him funny. Like they're afraid of him. Or me."

"They're not afraid. They just do not approve of the way Obi-Wan views the path of a Jedi. But you and your Master are not alone. There are many Jedi who will stretch the Code to suit their needs. But they find their balance, and in time, you will too."

Jaden nodded. "Yeah. We all find balance."

Qui-Gon made a face. "Not all."

Jaden looked at him with a confused expression. "What do you mean, Master Qui-Gon?"

"Well, my own Padawan for example. He has yet to find a balance between his own impetuousness and the Code. He thinks just because he thinks that it is right, that it is."

Jaden cocked his head to the side almost comically. "Isn't that what the Council does?" he asked genuinely.

Qui-Gon opened his mouth to speak, but temporarily was at a loss for words. Finally he just shook his head. "Time will tell you all you need to know, Jaden."