Opening his eyes slowly from his meditation, Obi-Wan's gaze settled on the still image of Chancellor Palpatine showing on the view screen. Releasing a pent breath from his meditations, the once-Master leaned forward and tapped the data input, changing the terminal's settings from information to communication. As the familiar logo of the Coruscant network displayed on the screen, he ran a hand through his hair, still surprised at its short length. Well at least I still have my hard-won skills and training… even if I am now lacking in the follicle-department

Snorting lightly at the thought, Obi-Wan used the brief period of good humor to renew his purpose. This is the only chance I am going to have for this, and it HAS to be done. Dropping his hand back down from his head, lightly skimming his Padawan braid as he did so, Obi-Wan set to work on a message for the office of the Supreme Chancellor.

*********************************************

Unwilling and unable to face his apprentice in his current mood after his meditation had been interrupted by the exchange with Master Windu; Qui-Gon instead went in search of the young boy he had fought so diligently for. Approaching the initiate quarters appropriated for the Tatooine native, the Jedi Master could tell immediately that Anakin was not present. The boy's Force-signature shown clearly, even through the durasteel door, and its absence was blatantly obvious. Now where could he have run off? Reaching out to the Force, Qui-Gon quickly searched throughout the Temple complex for the unique Force impression that was Anakin Skywalker.

Locating the errant boy proved easy, but the Master still had no idea what Anakin was up to. It was apparent that he was near the main archives of the Temple, but with his limited reading and writing experience, it was unlikely that the former slave would be engaged in any study. Assuming that Anakin was involved in some sort of tour arranged by his initiate instructor, Qui-Gon decided to simply wait within the boy's room for Ani's return.

*********************************************

"Jumping to conclusions you are," Master Yoda admonished as Master Windu joined him within the Council's meditation chambers.

"It is clear that there is more to what happened on Naboo than what Padawan Kenobi has chosen to tell us," Mace objected.

"And so, assume you do, that he is darkened," Yoda harrumphed, rapping his gimmer stick on the tile flooring. "Assume, you should not. Much to tell us young Obi-Wan has, wait for him to reveal it, we must."

"And if he is tainted by the Darkside?" Master Windu questioned, settling on the stool beside the older Master and tucking his long legs up beneath him. "If we wait, it is likely that he will be able to cause even more harm."

"What harm has he caused?" Yoda asked; his sleepy eyes fixated on the dark-skinned Master's face. "Appears, it does, that saved his Master's life he did. Harm, that is not. Help, it is."

"But how is it that a Padawan, even a senior Padawan, was able to best a Sith when a Jedi Master could not?"

"Disturbing this is," the elder Master admitted as his eyes again fell shut in his attempts to search the Force for answers. "But wait and see what Obi-Wan wishes to reveal we must."

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"And so you see that something must be done!" The young voice was raised in ardor, and it was apparent, even without the visual, that the boy was completely serious in his pleas for assistance.

"My dear boy, I am sorry to hear of such suffering, but what am I to do?" The responding voice was as soft as silk, but edged with undeniable steel.

"I don't know…" uncertainty crept into the tones, before being replaced with a dark glee. "Perhaps you could arrange for a special mission of some sort?"

"You wish for me to… remove… the issue?" Without the visual activated, the young boy could not see the feral grin growing across the face of the older man.

"…Yes."

*********************************************

Clicking off the terminal, Obi-Wan leaned back in the chair, grinding the heels of his palms over his closed eyelids. It had to be done. It had to be done… He kept up the solid litany, as if to reassure himself of the inescapable actions he had just set in motion, as he rose from the chair and turned to face the balcony doorway. Watching the steady stream of traffic helped to settle his mind as he used the ever-changing scenery as a visual focus.

It was the first time he had actually stopped to appreciate the hustle and bustle of the Republic Capital, after his last visit to the planet had resulted in the deaths of all his fellow Jedi. The overabundance of life was almost stunning in its comparison to the dead husk of a planet he had evacuated so many, many years ago. He had never bothered to set foot on Coruscant after the Empire had established it as its home base, and his last memories of it were full of the pain and betrayal that had haunted too much of his past.

But now I have a chance to rectify that. I only need to keep Anakin and Palpatine apart, and Darth Vader will never be born. Trying to focus on his second chance, and chase away the sorrow and regrets of a lifetime, Obi-Wan watched the unending stream of vibrant life flow past his window, never noticing the glistening tears that tracked so softly down his face.

*********************************************

The weary sense of resignation and sorrow traversed the link, bringing Qui-Gon to his feet and out of the small doorway almost before he had recognized its source. Although he and Obi-Wan shared a fairly strong Master/Padawan link, it was unusual for the apprentice to allow his emotions to flow so freely. It was only when Obi-Wan was in trouble, or when the two were involved in a battle situation, that the link was completely open to the level it was now.

Rushing through the Temple hallways, heedless of the stares and whispers that followed his path, Qui-Gon headed unerringly toward the quarters he shared with his Padawan. Although he tried to contact Obi-Wan through the bond, it was almost as if the apprentice was unaware of the Master's increasingly forceful queries.

Barging through the door into the communal room of the quarters, Qui-Gon came to an abrupt stop at the vision before him. Obi-Wan knelt on the floor before the balcony, the late afternoon sun streaming in and highlighting the natural auburn of his hair. Although the lighting gave the Padawan an ethereal beauty, it was the glistening tear tracks that sparkled so elegantly on the pale face that drew the Master's attention. Dropping to his knees across from his apprentice, Qui-Gon gently lifted a hand to the still features, wiping away the still flowing evidence of Obi-Wan's profound sorrow.

"Master?" Obi-Wan questioned, as his eyes flickered open to focus on the familiar face before him.

"Padawan, I am sorry I was so harsh with you before," the Master spoke tenderly, his blue eyes softened with regret. "I did not mean to upset you so, I just… I realized how easily I could have lost you, and I was afraid."

Smiling sadly, Obi-Wan rose gracefully to his feet, offering a hand to his Master once he was fully standing. Accepting the offer, Qui-Gon allowed his Padawan to lever him to his feet, and then followed docilely as Obi-Wan led the way to the small couch. Sitting down, the Master was surprised when Obi-Wan failed to join him, instead choosing to sit cross-legged on the floor before him. Raising an eyebrow, the older Jedi made no comment otherwise.

Accepting the Master's silence with another small smile, the Padawan leaned forward until his elbows rested gently on his knees with his chin settled on his cupped hands. Taking a deep breath, Obi-Wan released it and his pensive tension before speaking. "Master, I have some things I need to tell you…"