After his daring brash statement, Master Dooku turned to go to the temple, some place he had yet to see.
Jinn took him by the crook of his arm, right at the elbow and whirled the man around. There would be no reprimand for his seemingly crude handling of Dooku, for now they were equals and Jinn was in no way out of line.
"Whoaa….. Master Dooku. I think we should not go to the temple just yet. I think we should stay out here, far from the curious ears of the temple, while we continue this shouting match. Because I can assure you that is what it will turn into if your words were not some kind of joke and you actually believe you spoke the truth. Obi-Wan will stay here with me and if he continues to lean toward becoming a Jedi at all, it will be under my tutelage and not yours."
"Master Jinn I know that you and Master Yoda have gone to great lengths to be positive that Obi-Wan was yours. However, I just assumed that was to satisfy you curiosity as to his heritage with certainty. I never assumed you wanted the child to tie you down. I remembered you already had your nephew to raise because of the untimely death of your brother, Amos. Now I find out you are overseeing this temple, have a small ranch that must be contained, Damien to care for, and you want Obi as your apprentice. Don't you think you are spreading yourself a little thin? Might all your responsibilities prevent you from seeing to the apprenticeship training of my grandson in way, less than perfect?"
"No, I don't see it that way at all. Besides if I were to see Obi-Wan's training was not up to par with the Jedi code because of my other commitments, I would relinquish some those commitments, but not the training of my son."
"Oh, so you propose to just throw your nephew away in favor of Obi-Wan?"
"This is really none of your business Dooku and I resent your inference of what I might or might not do with my nephew. I have the best interests in both boys to deal with it and I am quite capable of handling it. Do not put your words in my mouth. I do not intend to toss Damien away in favor of Obi-Wan. By the time Obi's padawan training actually starts, Damien will be a young man in a university somewhere planning for his own future. Now if we can stop this bickering long enough, I would gladly escort you to the temple and offer you some tea. The last thing I want is for Obi-Wan to see any discord between his father and grandfather."
" You and your endearing qualities of righteousness. You were always one for misdirected compassion for any pathetic life-form you met, Master Jinn. That is why I am hesitant to allow you to train my grandson. I can see he already rules you."
Qui-Gon did not like his son being assessed as nothing more than a pathetic life-from that needed Jinn's attention.
You have no say-so in Obi-Wan's training, only I do. As far as Obi-Wan ruling me, he doesn't unless you mean he rules my heart for my love for him. But in his training he will be as any other apprentice. I have trained."
"Oh, is that a fact? Let's hope he is not like Xanatos. That was a catastrophic experience in your life and for the Jedi temple itself. There is no room in the training of a Jedi apprentice for this *love* you speak of."
Jinn flinched with the reminder of his past failures and Xanatos certainly classified as his biggest failure of all time. However Qui-Gon knew Obi-Wan was not like Xani. He saw the goodness in Obi-Wan, never exhibited by Xanatos. The master wrongly reasoned it was just a character flaw in Xanatos' ability to expose his true good-natured self. He never suspected Xani had no goodness in him for he was ruled by the dark side its self. Well he didn't realize it until it was too late for him and Xanatos.
"Master Dooku, if we could stop this arguing long enough to go in the temple, I would like to show you around and you can visit with Obi-Wan. I think if we stay out here much longer we are both going to freeze to death or get caught in that snow storm which is brewing just to the north of us."
Dooku did let off some of the pressure he had on Jinn by smiling a wiry-looking smile and followed his former pupil in to the warmth of the temple.
The visiting master sat and tapped his fingers on the dining table. To say he was anxious, bored, and just plan fed up with Obi-Wan's tardiness would be an understatement. Even Master Jinn could not think of what could take one little boy that long to bathe; even if that little boy was Obi-Wan and was noted for his often annoying loss of concentration of what he *was* suppose to be doing, in favor of something he *wanted* to do.
It often led to his tardiness. This was just not a good day to lose himself in the preoccupation of something other than what Qui-Gon had instructed him to do..
"I am sure Obi was sidetracked by something. I assume he will be down here soon."
"Oh, please Jinn, don't make excuses for him. You should have demanded his presence and he should have known from previous experience, there would be severe consequences to follow if that demand was not met. He already has you around his little finger."
"I will teach Obi-Wan to be an apprentice in spite of my father-son relationship with him. He normally does as I say."
Myra had just come from the kitchen with another hot pot of tea and sweet breads.
"Oh, Master Dooku don't listen to my son. One can say nothing in any way negative about his son.. Isn't that right Qui-Gon?"
Dooku raised forward and slapped his knee with is hand.
"AHHH... so my suspicions are correct. You overindulge the child. That is why he will never make a good Jedi."
" I don't want Obi-Wan to be a *good** Jedi. He will be far better than good when he reaches knighthood. However, for now he is a child, not much more than a baby."
Qui-Gon wasn't particularly pleased that his mother would nose in his business, in Obi-Wan's business, and in Jedi affairs in general.
"I am afraid Mother, you have not given Obi-Wan a fair chance since he arrived."
"Maybe not. Although I am not sure you are an unbiased judge of that."
The Jedi master's mom shrugged her shoulders after she put the tea and sweet breads down. She turned her attention to Dooku.
"I think the boy could do with some old fashioned strict discipline. But what do I know? I am just a mother of two and a grandmother raising one grandson and would help raise another had he not been so spoiled that no one could help Qui raise him."
It was then that Obi-Wan decided to appear. He didn't like being called a baby. Face it he didn't like being talked about at all. Especially by two grandparents who both seemed to think he was some little monster. That made the child even more irritable than he was before he entered the dining hall.
The relief evident on Qui-Gon's face soon gave way to a disapproving frown, when he saw that stubborn "I'm-doing-things-my-way-look", his son was noted to have on occasion. The *look* had become infamous to Master Jinn since the kidnapping. Qui-Gon knew it well, even down to the little wrinkles in the bridge of Obi's nose where he scrunched it up in a disfiguring way.
"Well you certainly took your good old time Obi-Wan. You Grandfather came here with the explicit desire to see you and you have been in the bath for over an hour."
"It took me less than ten minutes to bathe Master. I have been upstairs playing with my airplanes since."
Why the child felt they needed to know every little detail of what he had been doing was beyond Jinn. He didn't know if he was angrier at his son for staying upstairs playing or for telling his grandfather that was what he was doing.
Qui-Gon bowed his head, scrunched the bridge of his own nose as he tried one more time to understand the reasoning of his imp. There was no reason for Obi's actions other than to be blatantly rude to his Grandfather, which provoked the man even more.
//He certainly succeeded in both I'd say. //
Myra stood by the kitchen's swinging double doors with a smirk on her face. She actually enjoyed what was unfolding before her very eyes. She thought with the station within the Jedi order the revered Master Dooku held, maybe he would find a way to take his grandson with him; something she very much wanted to happen so Damien, her favored grandson, would be the only one in Qui-Gon's life.
"See Qui-Gon, the child ignored your very command and you sit there and do nothing. If he were under my charge…..."
Jinn spoke a little louder and gruffer than he actually intended too.
"Well he is not and he won't be under your guidance Master Dooku. What ever reprimand I have for him if indeed I decide one is needed, it will not be in the presence of anyone. That is not how we were taught at the temple to control an unruly padawan."
"And as your son? How do you expect him to show you any kind of respect if he doesn't know it is required of him?"
"I respect my father Master Dooku. It is you I am not sure I respect. I didn't disobey Dad. He said to come down later, I did. I wasn't sure how much later he meant but that was not the reason I didn't come sooner.'
Dooku was appalled that Jinn sat there and let the child speak to his grandfather and a former high master in that tone.
"Pray-tell, boy why didn't you come sooner then?"
Jinn knew this had gotten out of hand and he wished Obi-Wan would have controlled himself better. Making Dooku angrier would not accomplish anything.
"I didn't come down cause I didn't know if I even wanted to see you again."
Obi-Wan folded his arms over his chest and nodded his head to accent his words.
//Yep, he is zoned out with his stubbornness,// thought Qui-Gon.
Obi-Wan stood by the dining table closer to Jinn than his grandfather. Dooku was livid over Obi-Wan's obstinate forthright confession. He kicked his chair back and hastily raised himself up.
"Why you little brat. I'll show you what happens when I am spoken to in such a disrespectful manner."
It took two strides with Dooku's long lithe legs, that easily matched Jinn's in length, to reach the child. However before he did, it only took Obi-Wan two little tiny steps to reach his father. He felt Qui-Gon's big arm, as it enveloped him in a protective cocoon from Dooku's onslaught, with his hand drawn back as if to strike the boy.
"That's enough Master Dooku. I think the day got off on the wrong foot. Maybe visiting with Obi-Wan tomorrow would work out better."
Obi-Wan did not dare glance at his grandfather. He already didn't like this man and something within the force, about him, scared the child. Not having the comparable understanding of the force that others trained in Jedi ways had, Obi just couldn't pinpoint the reason for his uneasiness, but it was there and most importantly it was very, very real.
"Very well Master Jinn. This is your temple and our son. You've made that abundantly clear. But I intend to call you before the council in Coruscant about the boy's unruly behavior. I can bring you up on charges if I feel he is not being trained correctly and I might just have to do that."
"Do what you feel you must, but what I said earlier, I must enforce now. I would rather not discuss our disagreements in front of Obi-Wan. Now if you will excuse me, I want to see Obi back to his room and speak with him in private. Your room is ready and I will have one of the padawans show you were it is."
"I hope you do more than "speak" with him and are successful in making him see things my way. Maybe you can get him to straightened out before I have to bring the council down on you for his lack of respect and your lack of ability to control him."
Myra put a little extra spring in her step as she swung the kitchen doors open with a little more zeal than usual. The smirk was wiped from her face and replaced by all out radiant smile of self-satisfaction.
//As fate would have it, Master Dooku just might be the one to pry Obi-Wan from my son's grasp. Just maybe he will be successful in making the council see he should train the boy and not Qui-Gon. Too think I didn't want him to come and now Master Dooku may help the Jinn family rid ourselves of Obi-Wan, permanently………………….. //
"Care to explain what that was all about padawan?"
"Nope!"
Qui-Gon turned his back on his son so he wouldn't see the exasperation on his face. He rolled his eyes at his son's simplistic answer. It came from Obi-Wan so easily. There was nothing to indicate why he didn't want to visit with his grandfather, To the eight year-old, *nope* should have explained it all. It didn't though and Qui-Gon knew he would have to pull the truth out the child.
"I don't think you gave me much to go on."
"You didn't ask me for anything "to go on", whatever that means. You asked if I cared to explain and I answered..Nop…."
Jinn tossed his hand up.
"DON'T say it again Obi-Wan Kenobi or you must just find yourself in extra meditations. You know perfectly well what I mean. Why are you so opposed to visiting with your grandfather?"
"He's like her. That's why."
Jinn could easily tell the child was nervous and upset. His hands had twisted both sides of his tunic hem into tiny little knots.
Jinn knew he meant his mother. Although the Dooku was a strict master and didn't really have a loving nature, Obi-Wan should not lump him in the same dark sided category as Obi-Wan's mother.
"It isn't fair to make an assessment of someone before you have given that someone a chance to prove they are your friend or not.."
"Don't need too. He's got that dark side in him just like Momma and I don't want to be around him ever. You can't make me, ya know?"
There he went again. His little arms folded up on his chest in a defiant manner and he made that ridiculous looking scrunched up face. Yes, Obi-Wan Kenobi was again posturing his stubbornness as he did before in front of his grandfather.
"You try my patience Obi. You can't just say someone is tainted with the dark side without proof. That is so unlike you to be cruel to any living thing, let alone your own grandfather."
"Don't need proof, I felt it. It's there. AND I don't care if you believe me or not. I'm not gonna be his friend. Beat. Me. If. You. Have. Too."
Qui-Gon fought hard to hide the smile that threatened to spread over his face.
"I don't think I necessarily have to beat you, but I would like to know how you got all this information that I don't seem to have. After all, Master Dooku was my master for the first three years of my apprenticeship within the Jedi order. Then I was given another master, MAster Yoda, to complete my training. Surely I would know if he carried the dark side within him."
"The force, it told me, that's how I know. I don't want to talk about it. It makes me unhappy. Another thing master… Maybe you're not payin' 'nough attention."
Obi-Wan hesitated and motioned with his kinked index finger for his father to bend down closer to him. Jinn knelt down beside the boy and Obi cuffed his hands around one of Qui-Gon's ear. He then whispered in it.
"I don't want to get it, that dark side stuff. I don't ever want to be around anyone who has it again. I sure don't want to love them like I loved Momma. Hurts to much when you find out they really didn't love you back. It was just the dark side that made them pretend to love you.."
The words were whispered as if the dark side its self was privy to Obi-Wan's most intimate thoughts and conversations. Obi-Wan's words tugged at the big Jedi's heart.
There was no smile threatening Qui-Gon Jinn now. Concern washed over his face and bathed it in worry.
"The force, what do you mean, Obi?"
//Was it a vision? Does he know something or making excuses for his fear of being betrayed again if he allowed himself to care for someone else. //
"I don't want to talk about it. I want to take a nap. I am cold from feeding my duck friends. Can I just take a nap?"
Ever how weak their bond was, it did not keep Qui-Gon from feeling the overwhelming confusion and hurt that engulfed the child.
//He is serious!!! This is just not an ploy to keep from visiting with Master Dooku. //
"Very well that might not be such a bad idea. You take a nap and sleep on it. Maybe you will be more relaxed afterwards and want to see your Grandfather Dooku."
"Nope, don't want to ever see him. Not now not "never". "
Qui-Gon watched as the boy turned to go to bed. He didn't even bother to correct the double negative in his speech, which he usually would do. The child just needed to be left alone right now.
Obi-Wan took it upon himself to choose which bed to nap in; Go to his room to his little bed or to get buried under the thick coverlets of his dad's. He chose Qui-Gon's bed and snuggled up in the covers and fell fast asleep or put on a good act that he did.
Which ever it was, Jinn left him there to his own devices. He needed to go to his office, in the privacy it afforded, and discuss this possibly startling revelation of Obi's with either Mace or Yoda.
###########
He didn't even have time to comm the temple Coruscant when he was interrupted by Master Riddon.
"Sorry Qui have I come at a bad time?"
"No, No right now, any time might be a bad time."
"Tell me about it. I guess it is hard to deal with Obi-Wan's grandfather, your former master, and one of the most intimidating head strong masters in the Jedi order. Of course you come second in your ability to be headstrong. Had I the courage to say it, I might just say that Master Dooku is more than headstrong, he is very cruel. Now that I can't say about you."
"I will say Master Riddon, it is difficult right now. Especially with Obi-Wan having a bad time dealing with some things about his mother then Master Dooku comes for a visit and starts in like... I don't know... his new master or something."
"Yea, I know I had to shoo a couple of the padawans, Bruck and Damien included, from away from the dining hall doors. Seemed you and Dooku were in a heated discussion about the child."
"Did they here anything?"
"I don't know how long they had been there until I caught them. Of course they will have to spend the evening in mediations for it. I will say this if something's said at increased heightened sound of your voices, I would say they heard it. I will leave it up to you what to do with Damien. I told Mrs. Jinn but she seemed to shrug it off as if eavesdropping was nothing to be concerned about."
Jinn smiled about the comment of the loud voices.
"IF that is your way of saying we were shouting I would have to agree. I will handle Damien. Mother seems to be less and less able to discipline him in any way. She doesn't even want to talk thing s out with him."
"Well, raising kids is hard. I know, this is my second padawan and although I get'em at thirteen, they are far from being adults. I can't even imagine starting out with one so young as Obi ."
"YOU!! The same goes for me. I was never around Damien until after he was thirteen and sometimes I think Obi-Wan might be a little immature for his eight years, though I would never say that outside this room especially to him.."
"Maybe not immature so much as unsure of who he is or where he belongs. I imagine that can make a young one even more timid and less sure of where he fits.. I'll leave you to get a little work finished before the fireworks at the last-meal tonight.."
Riddon smiled at Jinn, who understood the joke. He would be thrown together with Dooku, Obi-Wan, his mother, and all the others pulling him every which they could. Last-meal would be rough.
"Thanx for the conversation. You have helped a great deal, especially where it concerns my son. Oh and thank you for shooing the young ones away from the door. I suppose I should keep my personal things just that, personal."
"Hard to have privacy, with this communal living life-style we have here. See you at last-meal."
b]###########Back in Jinn's bedroom#####[/b]
Obi-Wan had not been asleep when his father left. He just didn't want to talk about anything else. He was tired, not physically tired, but mentally exhausted. The stress of meeting his grandfather and the harsh spoken words to him by the man, made the boy tired and scared. Scared that he might be taken from his father for some reason.
The little one was just about to drift off to sleep in the place he felt safest, his dad's bedroom, in his dad's bed.. His head was buried deep in the fluffy extra big pillows of his father's; the smell of Qui-Gon's favorite coral-blossom soap still clung to them. He didn't get this treat much anymore because his dad said he should sleep in his own *lonely* bed. He explained to Obi that he was a big boy now,too big to have the need to sleep with anyone. The little Jedi didn't feel that way though. He liked the secure and safe feeling he got when he slept alongside of his father.
Obi-Wan welcomed the sleep and was nearly lulled there by the safety he felt right then, when suddenly his eyes popped wide opened and he sat half way up in the bed.
In his haste to get his point a crossed that he didn't want to be around his grandfather, he hadn't let Dooku's words sink in. He just now let the hauntingly eerie statements overtake him before the desire to sleep did.
//He said he could take my dad and me to the council. Does that mean my father could get into trouble because of me? I *have * to be nice to him or he will get Dad in some trouble, maybe even not let him run this temple or worse yet keep me. Maybe they will give me to Dooku, if I am not perfect like "them" Jedi thinks I should be.//
The thoughts weighed heavily on the boy's mind and what he thought weighed heavier on his heart. He now became terrified he would be forcibly removed from his father's care in favor of Master Dooku training him. //Especially if the council thinks I'm not very good at doing what I am told.//
Obi-Wan still laid his head in the coral-blossom smell that clung to the pillows but now tear stains dotted his father's pillows, as he waited to fall asleep. Fear of losing the only person who had never betrayed him, his dad, brought on the cloud-burst of tears that continued, until welcomed slumber claimed the little boy.
There seemed to be excitement in the air at last-meal. The padawans and younger knights knew their guest that night was the infamous Master Dooku. They were smitten by such a visit at their little temple out in the country. The wind howled outside slamming shutters as it blew the snow against the windows, making little pitty-pat sounds with the ice mixed in with the snow.
Qui-Gon noticed instantly how radiantly clean and nicely dressed his son was. He felt that maybe Obi-Wan was going to make at least an attempt to be civil this evening.
//That would make things less complicated, thought the master.//
Jinn had wanted to discuss the matter of Obi's possible vision, but Yoda and Mace were away attending a formal wedding of a prominent senator friend they mutually knew. He would have to wait until the next day to burden one of them with his revelation.
No matter how nice and crispy clean his son was, he seemed to be missing that glow, that spark of life he normally carried in his eyes. Qui-Gon attributed his ruddy cheeks to being out in the cold wind by the pond that day. He never suspected the child cried himself to sleep.
What Qui-Gon did not miss though was the hallow emptiness that pitted the child's face. Something was wrong and he planned later to find out what. He suspected it dealt with Master Dooku, but still the child exhibited something.. ..Well something almost akin to sheer terror on that little face of his.
Master Jinn was not the only one to watch Obi-Wan enter the dining hall with equally amount of curiosity. Master Dooku, for the first time studied the boy's features trying to note any resemblance of his daughter and there were several. From the thin nose, the stunning indigo eyes, and the small physique all belonged to his Kaylin.
//Didn't get his looks or size from Jinn. What did *he* tell me during the comm link with *him*. Oh yes I could get more flies with honey than I could with vinegar. Huh.. He doesn't know how I operate. I could try to be civil to the little one. Maybe he would warm up to me a little, if he doesn't think I might bite his head off at any minute.//
Dooku thought the words, but chuckled out loud over Obi's fear of him. He loved intimidating people and Obi-Wan was no different, except for being a smaller version of those he normally harassed. Dooku had not an ounce of compassion for anyone but himself.
Everyone at the table watched with curiosity as Obi-Wan moved his chair over beside his father's on the end. Obi normally sat bedside Qui-Gon, who sat at the head of the table. Dooku had been intentionally placed right beside his grandson by the ever-plotting mother, Myra Jinn.
Qui-Gon watched in horror as his son moved the chair. Dooku did not seem to like it either.
"Obi-Wan, don't you want to sit by your grandpa?"
Jinn shook his head to make sure he heard the words right that just came out of Dooku's mouth.
//Grandpa!!! Who is he kidding spreading on the sugar now? What's he up too?//
Jinn realized he was not being very fair to his former master. However, he was untrusting of the sudden change of heart, Dooku seemed to have developed.
//Maybe he is trying to make amends for the way he acted earlier toward Obi-Wan.//
Obi stopped scrapping the legs of the chair on the floor, that made an awful screeching noise, long enough to address his grandfather's question. He too had trouble believing his *Grandpa* suddenly wanted to be his friend, when only this afternoon, he almost struck his grandson.
"Oh sorry sir. You looked cramped. I didn't want you to have trouble eating that's all. I will eat right here almost beside you. Is that alright?"
The boy was making a feeble attempt at being civil. Still, Jinn noted a fear in him, probably not visible to anyone else.
"Very well, I suppose I could use the elbow room. I know Mrs. Jinn had to place an extra chair on this side of the table."
Dooku had no desire to be near the boy, let alone have to a battle eating with him in such close proximity. He welcomed Obi-Wan's move. Qui-Gon, on the other hand would be cramped, however Obi-Wan didn't seem concerned with his dad's comfort whatsoever. What could Master Jinn do anyway? Obi-Wan was determined to be as close to his father as he could get.
Last-meal progressed well. Dooku loved the attention. Riddon noted a certain something was not right between the two masters and he suspected it had something to do with the child.
Obi-Wan pushed his food around the plate and hoped no one noticed he couldn't eat. Dooku took no notice of it whatsoever. Qui-Gon, being the ever watchful parent, knew his son hadn't taken more than a bite or two. He would not bring it up for fear Dooku might start with some kind of reprimand for the boy. The meal was almost over and so far no fireworks. Qui-Gon wanted it kept that way. Just when he thought they might get through the meal without any confrontations, Dooku started.
"I tried contacting the temple, Master Yoda in fact. Seems he is away for a wedding. I plan to speak with him tomorrow."
Master Jinn knew Dooku was just letting him know what he threatened, he intended to do in some way. Master Dooku could tell the council of Obi's behavior and recommend he be given the child to train. Of course no one could take Obi from him, but then again they could refuse Jinn's desire to train him as a Jedi.
The thought of Dooku actually going the temple Coruscant scared Obi. He put his fork down and Qui-Gon could feel the boy's now-empty hand find the sleeve of his tunic and grip tightly as if Qui-Gon would leave him if he didn't just hold right on to his father. No one could see the child's hand and Qui-Gon said nothing. He could feel Obi-Wan's need for the closeness of his father right now and he would not betray him. He would just make his little one a plate of food later, when everything settled down.
Dooku tried to appear interested in the little boy, in any of his little nonsense accomplishment. But when the conversation turned to him, he enjoyed it much more than talking about a snot-nosed kid he had no real desire to be around, let alone try to hold a conversation with. The young knights and even the masters were interested in his stories of missions he was sent on, years ago when no one could do it but him. Now though, they all knew which master was called upon when a difficult mission came up. That master was Qui-Gon Jinn. There was a complacency of Jinn's accomplishments because they lived with him on a daily basis, even though they knew of his notoriety of being the *best* Master in the order today.
//I'm not interested in hearing tales that are about a hundred years old,// thought Obi.
Nevertheless, out of politeness he sat and listened until he thought he would fall back to sleep just from the boredom. The story telling continued in the large common room around the fireplace. Dooku could have cared less if Obi-Wan stuck around and Obi didn't.
Finally when everyone had gathered in a circle as the wind howled outside and snow continued its attack on the little temple, Obi-Wan sneaked off to the little garden area and sat by its indoor pond. Although the little boy had not been able to eat, he managed to break off a half a piece of his bread and stuff it in his tunic pocket. He sat on one of the big stones that circled the pond and fed the large colorful coi goldfish that dotted the water.
From behind him, Obi-Wan heard his father's voice.
"You fed Raven and Danny-Boy, you fed the ducks and now the Coi. The only one that really hasn't eaten tonight is you, Padawan."
Obi-Wan didn't have the courage to look up at his father. Determined not to spill tears again, he held his stare on the fish as if to stabilize himself and strengthened his weakened state of emotions. His true desire was to throw himself in his father's arms over the mess everything was in. Too him it was a *big* mess. He didn't like uncertainty and now with his grandfather here wanting him as an apprentice, his life felt filled with it.
"OH! Hi Dad. I guess I just wasn't very hungry at last-meal. That's all."
Qui-Gon watched as he dipped his little hand back into a pocket and pulled out another handful of crumpled bread.
"You know we have food for the coi, if you'd like to go get some of it. Maybe a little extra as a treat would be alright."
"I know. I'll just feed them this bread. No sense it going to waste. Besides I have to get it out of the pocket of my new tunic."
Jinn knelt down beside the boy. He wanted to see his face, gage his reactions, but Obi still tried to stay turned away from him.
"Care to tell me what's wrong?"
Obi-Wan only shrugged his shoulders.
"NO? I think something is bothering you Obi-Wan and I imagine it has something to do with your grandfather. Am I correct?"
There was an eternity of silence or it felt that way before Obi-Wan finally decided to break his silence.
"No use saying anything.. You don't believe me, but Grandfather is controlled by the dark side that lives in him and I'm not ever gonna be around him, especially alone, without you. I got this same feeling when I was in the arms of that Darth Sidious guy, himself. Grandpa scares me Master……He scares me *A LOT*…."
PEACE ewen
Jinn took him by the crook of his arm, right at the elbow and whirled the man around. There would be no reprimand for his seemingly crude handling of Dooku, for now they were equals and Jinn was in no way out of line.
"Whoaa….. Master Dooku. I think we should not go to the temple just yet. I think we should stay out here, far from the curious ears of the temple, while we continue this shouting match. Because I can assure you that is what it will turn into if your words were not some kind of joke and you actually believe you spoke the truth. Obi-Wan will stay here with me and if he continues to lean toward becoming a Jedi at all, it will be under my tutelage and not yours."
"Master Jinn I know that you and Master Yoda have gone to great lengths to be positive that Obi-Wan was yours. However, I just assumed that was to satisfy you curiosity as to his heritage with certainty. I never assumed you wanted the child to tie you down. I remembered you already had your nephew to raise because of the untimely death of your brother, Amos. Now I find out you are overseeing this temple, have a small ranch that must be contained, Damien to care for, and you want Obi as your apprentice. Don't you think you are spreading yourself a little thin? Might all your responsibilities prevent you from seeing to the apprenticeship training of my grandson in way, less than perfect?"
"No, I don't see it that way at all. Besides if I were to see Obi-Wan's training was not up to par with the Jedi code because of my other commitments, I would relinquish some those commitments, but not the training of my son."
"Oh, so you propose to just throw your nephew away in favor of Obi-Wan?"
"This is really none of your business Dooku and I resent your inference of what I might or might not do with my nephew. I have the best interests in both boys to deal with it and I am quite capable of handling it. Do not put your words in my mouth. I do not intend to toss Damien away in favor of Obi-Wan. By the time Obi's padawan training actually starts, Damien will be a young man in a university somewhere planning for his own future. Now if we can stop this bickering long enough, I would gladly escort you to the temple and offer you some tea. The last thing I want is for Obi-Wan to see any discord between his father and grandfather."
" You and your endearing qualities of righteousness. You were always one for misdirected compassion for any pathetic life-form you met, Master Jinn. That is why I am hesitant to allow you to train my grandson. I can see he already rules you."
Qui-Gon did not like his son being assessed as nothing more than a pathetic life-from that needed Jinn's attention.
You have no say-so in Obi-Wan's training, only I do. As far as Obi-Wan ruling me, he doesn't unless you mean he rules my heart for my love for him. But in his training he will be as any other apprentice. I have trained."
"Oh, is that a fact? Let's hope he is not like Xanatos. That was a catastrophic experience in your life and for the Jedi temple itself. There is no room in the training of a Jedi apprentice for this *love* you speak of."
Jinn flinched with the reminder of his past failures and Xanatos certainly classified as his biggest failure of all time. However Qui-Gon knew Obi-Wan was not like Xani. He saw the goodness in Obi-Wan, never exhibited by Xanatos. The master wrongly reasoned it was just a character flaw in Xanatos' ability to expose his true good-natured self. He never suspected Xani had no goodness in him for he was ruled by the dark side its self. Well he didn't realize it until it was too late for him and Xanatos.
"Master Dooku, if we could stop this arguing long enough to go in the temple, I would like to show you around and you can visit with Obi-Wan. I think if we stay out here much longer we are both going to freeze to death or get caught in that snow storm which is brewing just to the north of us."
Dooku did let off some of the pressure he had on Jinn by smiling a wiry-looking smile and followed his former pupil in to the warmth of the temple.
The visiting master sat and tapped his fingers on the dining table. To say he was anxious, bored, and just plan fed up with Obi-Wan's tardiness would be an understatement. Even Master Jinn could not think of what could take one little boy that long to bathe; even if that little boy was Obi-Wan and was noted for his often annoying loss of concentration of what he *was* suppose to be doing, in favor of something he *wanted* to do.
It often led to his tardiness. This was just not a good day to lose himself in the preoccupation of something other than what Qui-Gon had instructed him to do..
"I am sure Obi was sidetracked by something. I assume he will be down here soon."
"Oh, please Jinn, don't make excuses for him. You should have demanded his presence and he should have known from previous experience, there would be severe consequences to follow if that demand was not met. He already has you around his little finger."
"I will teach Obi-Wan to be an apprentice in spite of my father-son relationship with him. He normally does as I say."
Myra had just come from the kitchen with another hot pot of tea and sweet breads.
"Oh, Master Dooku don't listen to my son. One can say nothing in any way negative about his son.. Isn't that right Qui-Gon?"
Dooku raised forward and slapped his knee with is hand.
"AHHH... so my suspicions are correct. You overindulge the child. That is why he will never make a good Jedi."
" I don't want Obi-Wan to be a *good** Jedi. He will be far better than good when he reaches knighthood. However, for now he is a child, not much more than a baby."
Qui-Gon wasn't particularly pleased that his mother would nose in his business, in Obi-Wan's business, and in Jedi affairs in general.
"I am afraid Mother, you have not given Obi-Wan a fair chance since he arrived."
"Maybe not. Although I am not sure you are an unbiased judge of that."
The Jedi master's mom shrugged her shoulders after she put the tea and sweet breads down. She turned her attention to Dooku.
"I think the boy could do with some old fashioned strict discipline. But what do I know? I am just a mother of two and a grandmother raising one grandson and would help raise another had he not been so spoiled that no one could help Qui raise him."
It was then that Obi-Wan decided to appear. He didn't like being called a baby. Face it he didn't like being talked about at all. Especially by two grandparents who both seemed to think he was some little monster. That made the child even more irritable than he was before he entered the dining hall.
The relief evident on Qui-Gon's face soon gave way to a disapproving frown, when he saw that stubborn "I'm-doing-things-my-way-look", his son was noted to have on occasion. The *look* had become infamous to Master Jinn since the kidnapping. Qui-Gon knew it well, even down to the little wrinkles in the bridge of Obi's nose where he scrunched it up in a disfiguring way.
"Well you certainly took your good old time Obi-Wan. You Grandfather came here with the explicit desire to see you and you have been in the bath for over an hour."
"It took me less than ten minutes to bathe Master. I have been upstairs playing with my airplanes since."
Why the child felt they needed to know every little detail of what he had been doing was beyond Jinn. He didn't know if he was angrier at his son for staying upstairs playing or for telling his grandfather that was what he was doing.
Qui-Gon bowed his head, scrunched the bridge of his own nose as he tried one more time to understand the reasoning of his imp. There was no reason for Obi's actions other than to be blatantly rude to his Grandfather, which provoked the man even more.
//He certainly succeeded in both I'd say. //
Myra stood by the kitchen's swinging double doors with a smirk on her face. She actually enjoyed what was unfolding before her very eyes. She thought with the station within the Jedi order the revered Master Dooku held, maybe he would find a way to take his grandson with him; something she very much wanted to happen so Damien, her favored grandson, would be the only one in Qui-Gon's life.
"See Qui-Gon, the child ignored your very command and you sit there and do nothing. If he were under my charge…..."
Jinn spoke a little louder and gruffer than he actually intended too.
"Well he is not and he won't be under your guidance Master Dooku. What ever reprimand I have for him if indeed I decide one is needed, it will not be in the presence of anyone. That is not how we were taught at the temple to control an unruly padawan."
"And as your son? How do you expect him to show you any kind of respect if he doesn't know it is required of him?"
"I respect my father Master Dooku. It is you I am not sure I respect. I didn't disobey Dad. He said to come down later, I did. I wasn't sure how much later he meant but that was not the reason I didn't come sooner.'
Dooku was appalled that Jinn sat there and let the child speak to his grandfather and a former high master in that tone.
"Pray-tell, boy why didn't you come sooner then?"
Jinn knew this had gotten out of hand and he wished Obi-Wan would have controlled himself better. Making Dooku angrier would not accomplish anything.
"I didn't come down cause I didn't know if I even wanted to see you again."
Obi-Wan folded his arms over his chest and nodded his head to accent his words.
//Yep, he is zoned out with his stubbornness,// thought Qui-Gon.
Obi-Wan stood by the dining table closer to Jinn than his grandfather. Dooku was livid over Obi-Wan's obstinate forthright confession. He kicked his chair back and hastily raised himself up.
"Why you little brat. I'll show you what happens when I am spoken to in such a disrespectful manner."
It took two strides with Dooku's long lithe legs, that easily matched Jinn's in length, to reach the child. However before he did, it only took Obi-Wan two little tiny steps to reach his father. He felt Qui-Gon's big arm, as it enveloped him in a protective cocoon from Dooku's onslaught, with his hand drawn back as if to strike the boy.
"That's enough Master Dooku. I think the day got off on the wrong foot. Maybe visiting with Obi-Wan tomorrow would work out better."
Obi-Wan did not dare glance at his grandfather. He already didn't like this man and something within the force, about him, scared the child. Not having the comparable understanding of the force that others trained in Jedi ways had, Obi just couldn't pinpoint the reason for his uneasiness, but it was there and most importantly it was very, very real.
"Very well Master Jinn. This is your temple and our son. You've made that abundantly clear. But I intend to call you before the council in Coruscant about the boy's unruly behavior. I can bring you up on charges if I feel he is not being trained correctly and I might just have to do that."
"Do what you feel you must, but what I said earlier, I must enforce now. I would rather not discuss our disagreements in front of Obi-Wan. Now if you will excuse me, I want to see Obi back to his room and speak with him in private. Your room is ready and I will have one of the padawans show you were it is."
"I hope you do more than "speak" with him and are successful in making him see things my way. Maybe you can get him to straightened out before I have to bring the council down on you for his lack of respect and your lack of ability to control him."
Myra put a little extra spring in her step as she swung the kitchen doors open with a little more zeal than usual. The smirk was wiped from her face and replaced by all out radiant smile of self-satisfaction.
//As fate would have it, Master Dooku just might be the one to pry Obi-Wan from my son's grasp. Just maybe he will be successful in making the council see he should train the boy and not Qui-Gon. Too think I didn't want him to come and now Master Dooku may help the Jinn family rid ourselves of Obi-Wan, permanently………………….. //
"Care to explain what that was all about padawan?"
"Nope!"
Qui-Gon turned his back on his son so he wouldn't see the exasperation on his face. He rolled his eyes at his son's simplistic answer. It came from Obi-Wan so easily. There was nothing to indicate why he didn't want to visit with his grandfather, To the eight year-old, *nope* should have explained it all. It didn't though and Qui-Gon knew he would have to pull the truth out the child.
"I don't think you gave me much to go on."
"You didn't ask me for anything "to go on", whatever that means. You asked if I cared to explain and I answered..Nop…."
Jinn tossed his hand up.
"DON'T say it again Obi-Wan Kenobi or you must just find yourself in extra meditations. You know perfectly well what I mean. Why are you so opposed to visiting with your grandfather?"
"He's like her. That's why."
Jinn could easily tell the child was nervous and upset. His hands had twisted both sides of his tunic hem into tiny little knots.
Jinn knew he meant his mother. Although the Dooku was a strict master and didn't really have a loving nature, Obi-Wan should not lump him in the same dark sided category as Obi-Wan's mother.
"It isn't fair to make an assessment of someone before you have given that someone a chance to prove they are your friend or not.."
"Don't need too. He's got that dark side in him just like Momma and I don't want to be around him ever. You can't make me, ya know?"
There he went again. His little arms folded up on his chest in a defiant manner and he made that ridiculous looking scrunched up face. Yes, Obi-Wan Kenobi was again posturing his stubbornness as he did before in front of his grandfather.
"You try my patience Obi. You can't just say someone is tainted with the dark side without proof. That is so unlike you to be cruel to any living thing, let alone your own grandfather."
"Don't need proof, I felt it. It's there. AND I don't care if you believe me or not. I'm not gonna be his friend. Beat. Me. If. You. Have. Too."
Qui-Gon fought hard to hide the smile that threatened to spread over his face.
"I don't think I necessarily have to beat you, but I would like to know how you got all this information that I don't seem to have. After all, Master Dooku was my master for the first three years of my apprenticeship within the Jedi order. Then I was given another master, MAster Yoda, to complete my training. Surely I would know if he carried the dark side within him."
"The force, it told me, that's how I know. I don't want to talk about it. It makes me unhappy. Another thing master… Maybe you're not payin' 'nough attention."
Obi-Wan hesitated and motioned with his kinked index finger for his father to bend down closer to him. Jinn knelt down beside the boy and Obi cuffed his hands around one of Qui-Gon's ear. He then whispered in it.
"I don't want to get it, that dark side stuff. I don't ever want to be around anyone who has it again. I sure don't want to love them like I loved Momma. Hurts to much when you find out they really didn't love you back. It was just the dark side that made them pretend to love you.."
The words were whispered as if the dark side its self was privy to Obi-Wan's most intimate thoughts and conversations. Obi-Wan's words tugged at the big Jedi's heart.
There was no smile threatening Qui-Gon Jinn now. Concern washed over his face and bathed it in worry.
"The force, what do you mean, Obi?"
//Was it a vision? Does he know something or making excuses for his fear of being betrayed again if he allowed himself to care for someone else. //
"I don't want to talk about it. I want to take a nap. I am cold from feeding my duck friends. Can I just take a nap?"
Ever how weak their bond was, it did not keep Qui-Gon from feeling the overwhelming confusion and hurt that engulfed the child.
//He is serious!!! This is just not an ploy to keep from visiting with Master Dooku. //
"Very well that might not be such a bad idea. You take a nap and sleep on it. Maybe you will be more relaxed afterwards and want to see your Grandfather Dooku."
"Nope, don't want to ever see him. Not now not "never". "
Qui-Gon watched as the boy turned to go to bed. He didn't even bother to correct the double negative in his speech, which he usually would do. The child just needed to be left alone right now.
Obi-Wan took it upon himself to choose which bed to nap in; Go to his room to his little bed or to get buried under the thick coverlets of his dad's. He chose Qui-Gon's bed and snuggled up in the covers and fell fast asleep or put on a good act that he did.
Which ever it was, Jinn left him there to his own devices. He needed to go to his office, in the privacy it afforded, and discuss this possibly startling revelation of Obi's with either Mace or Yoda.
###########
He didn't even have time to comm the temple Coruscant when he was interrupted by Master Riddon.
"Sorry Qui have I come at a bad time?"
"No, No right now, any time might be a bad time."
"Tell me about it. I guess it is hard to deal with Obi-Wan's grandfather, your former master, and one of the most intimidating head strong masters in the Jedi order. Of course you come second in your ability to be headstrong. Had I the courage to say it, I might just say that Master Dooku is more than headstrong, he is very cruel. Now that I can't say about you."
"I will say Master Riddon, it is difficult right now. Especially with Obi-Wan having a bad time dealing with some things about his mother then Master Dooku comes for a visit and starts in like... I don't know... his new master or something."
"Yea, I know I had to shoo a couple of the padawans, Bruck and Damien included, from away from the dining hall doors. Seemed you and Dooku were in a heated discussion about the child."
"Did they here anything?"
"I don't know how long they had been there until I caught them. Of course they will have to spend the evening in mediations for it. I will say this if something's said at increased heightened sound of your voices, I would say they heard it. I will leave it up to you what to do with Damien. I told Mrs. Jinn but she seemed to shrug it off as if eavesdropping was nothing to be concerned about."
Jinn smiled about the comment of the loud voices.
"IF that is your way of saying we were shouting I would have to agree. I will handle Damien. Mother seems to be less and less able to discipline him in any way. She doesn't even want to talk thing s out with him."
"Well, raising kids is hard. I know, this is my second padawan and although I get'em at thirteen, they are far from being adults. I can't even imagine starting out with one so young as Obi ."
"YOU!! The same goes for me. I was never around Damien until after he was thirteen and sometimes I think Obi-Wan might be a little immature for his eight years, though I would never say that outside this room especially to him.."
"Maybe not immature so much as unsure of who he is or where he belongs. I imagine that can make a young one even more timid and less sure of where he fits.. I'll leave you to get a little work finished before the fireworks at the last-meal tonight.."
Riddon smiled at Jinn, who understood the joke. He would be thrown together with Dooku, Obi-Wan, his mother, and all the others pulling him every which they could. Last-meal would be rough.
"Thanx for the conversation. You have helped a great deal, especially where it concerns my son. Oh and thank you for shooing the young ones away from the door. I suppose I should keep my personal things just that, personal."
"Hard to have privacy, with this communal living life-style we have here. See you at last-meal."
b]###########Back in Jinn's bedroom#####[/b]
Obi-Wan had not been asleep when his father left. He just didn't want to talk about anything else. He was tired, not physically tired, but mentally exhausted. The stress of meeting his grandfather and the harsh spoken words to him by the man, made the boy tired and scared. Scared that he might be taken from his father for some reason.
The little one was just about to drift off to sleep in the place he felt safest, his dad's bedroom, in his dad's bed.. His head was buried deep in the fluffy extra big pillows of his father's; the smell of Qui-Gon's favorite coral-blossom soap still clung to them. He didn't get this treat much anymore because his dad said he should sleep in his own *lonely* bed. He explained to Obi that he was a big boy now,too big to have the need to sleep with anyone. The little Jedi didn't feel that way though. He liked the secure and safe feeling he got when he slept alongside of his father.
Obi-Wan welcomed the sleep and was nearly lulled there by the safety he felt right then, when suddenly his eyes popped wide opened and he sat half way up in the bed.
In his haste to get his point a crossed that he didn't want to be around his grandfather, he hadn't let Dooku's words sink in. He just now let the hauntingly eerie statements overtake him before the desire to sleep did.
//He said he could take my dad and me to the council. Does that mean my father could get into trouble because of me? I *have * to be nice to him or he will get Dad in some trouble, maybe even not let him run this temple or worse yet keep me. Maybe they will give me to Dooku, if I am not perfect like "them" Jedi thinks I should be.//
The thoughts weighed heavily on the boy's mind and what he thought weighed heavier on his heart. He now became terrified he would be forcibly removed from his father's care in favor of Master Dooku training him. //Especially if the council thinks I'm not very good at doing what I am told.//
Obi-Wan still laid his head in the coral-blossom smell that clung to the pillows but now tear stains dotted his father's pillows, as he waited to fall asleep. Fear of losing the only person who had never betrayed him, his dad, brought on the cloud-burst of tears that continued, until welcomed slumber claimed the little boy.
There seemed to be excitement in the air at last-meal. The padawans and younger knights knew their guest that night was the infamous Master Dooku. They were smitten by such a visit at their little temple out in the country. The wind howled outside slamming shutters as it blew the snow against the windows, making little pitty-pat sounds with the ice mixed in with the snow.
Qui-Gon noticed instantly how radiantly clean and nicely dressed his son was. He felt that maybe Obi-Wan was going to make at least an attempt to be civil this evening.
//That would make things less complicated, thought the master.//
Jinn had wanted to discuss the matter of Obi's possible vision, but Yoda and Mace were away attending a formal wedding of a prominent senator friend they mutually knew. He would have to wait until the next day to burden one of them with his revelation.
No matter how nice and crispy clean his son was, he seemed to be missing that glow, that spark of life he normally carried in his eyes. Qui-Gon attributed his ruddy cheeks to being out in the cold wind by the pond that day. He never suspected the child cried himself to sleep.
What Qui-Gon did not miss though was the hallow emptiness that pitted the child's face. Something was wrong and he planned later to find out what. He suspected it dealt with Master Dooku, but still the child exhibited something.. ..Well something almost akin to sheer terror on that little face of his.
Master Jinn was not the only one to watch Obi-Wan enter the dining hall with equally amount of curiosity. Master Dooku, for the first time studied the boy's features trying to note any resemblance of his daughter and there were several. From the thin nose, the stunning indigo eyes, and the small physique all belonged to his Kaylin.
//Didn't get his looks or size from Jinn. What did *he* tell me during the comm link with *him*. Oh yes I could get more flies with honey than I could with vinegar. Huh.. He doesn't know how I operate. I could try to be civil to the little one. Maybe he would warm up to me a little, if he doesn't think I might bite his head off at any minute.//
Dooku thought the words, but chuckled out loud over Obi's fear of him. He loved intimidating people and Obi-Wan was no different, except for being a smaller version of those he normally harassed. Dooku had not an ounce of compassion for anyone but himself.
Everyone at the table watched with curiosity as Obi-Wan moved his chair over beside his father's on the end. Obi normally sat bedside Qui-Gon, who sat at the head of the table. Dooku had been intentionally placed right beside his grandson by the ever-plotting mother, Myra Jinn.
Qui-Gon watched in horror as his son moved the chair. Dooku did not seem to like it either.
"Obi-Wan, don't you want to sit by your grandpa?"
Jinn shook his head to make sure he heard the words right that just came out of Dooku's mouth.
//Grandpa!!! Who is he kidding spreading on the sugar now? What's he up too?//
Jinn realized he was not being very fair to his former master. However, he was untrusting of the sudden change of heart, Dooku seemed to have developed.
//Maybe he is trying to make amends for the way he acted earlier toward Obi-Wan.//
Obi stopped scrapping the legs of the chair on the floor, that made an awful screeching noise, long enough to address his grandfather's question. He too had trouble believing his *Grandpa* suddenly wanted to be his friend, when only this afternoon, he almost struck his grandson.
"Oh sorry sir. You looked cramped. I didn't want you to have trouble eating that's all. I will eat right here almost beside you. Is that alright?"
The boy was making a feeble attempt at being civil. Still, Jinn noted a fear in him, probably not visible to anyone else.
"Very well, I suppose I could use the elbow room. I know Mrs. Jinn had to place an extra chair on this side of the table."
Dooku had no desire to be near the boy, let alone have to a battle eating with him in such close proximity. He welcomed Obi-Wan's move. Qui-Gon, on the other hand would be cramped, however Obi-Wan didn't seem concerned with his dad's comfort whatsoever. What could Master Jinn do anyway? Obi-Wan was determined to be as close to his father as he could get.
Last-meal progressed well. Dooku loved the attention. Riddon noted a certain something was not right between the two masters and he suspected it had something to do with the child.
Obi-Wan pushed his food around the plate and hoped no one noticed he couldn't eat. Dooku took no notice of it whatsoever. Qui-Gon, being the ever watchful parent, knew his son hadn't taken more than a bite or two. He would not bring it up for fear Dooku might start with some kind of reprimand for the boy. The meal was almost over and so far no fireworks. Qui-Gon wanted it kept that way. Just when he thought they might get through the meal without any confrontations, Dooku started.
"I tried contacting the temple, Master Yoda in fact. Seems he is away for a wedding. I plan to speak with him tomorrow."
Master Jinn knew Dooku was just letting him know what he threatened, he intended to do in some way. Master Dooku could tell the council of Obi's behavior and recommend he be given the child to train. Of course no one could take Obi from him, but then again they could refuse Jinn's desire to train him as a Jedi.
The thought of Dooku actually going the temple Coruscant scared Obi. He put his fork down and Qui-Gon could feel the boy's now-empty hand find the sleeve of his tunic and grip tightly as if Qui-Gon would leave him if he didn't just hold right on to his father. No one could see the child's hand and Qui-Gon said nothing. He could feel Obi-Wan's need for the closeness of his father right now and he would not betray him. He would just make his little one a plate of food later, when everything settled down.
Dooku tried to appear interested in the little boy, in any of his little nonsense accomplishment. But when the conversation turned to him, he enjoyed it much more than talking about a snot-nosed kid he had no real desire to be around, let alone try to hold a conversation with. The young knights and even the masters were interested in his stories of missions he was sent on, years ago when no one could do it but him. Now though, they all knew which master was called upon when a difficult mission came up. That master was Qui-Gon Jinn. There was a complacency of Jinn's accomplishments because they lived with him on a daily basis, even though they knew of his notoriety of being the *best* Master in the order today.
//I'm not interested in hearing tales that are about a hundred years old,// thought Obi.
Nevertheless, out of politeness he sat and listened until he thought he would fall back to sleep just from the boredom. The story telling continued in the large common room around the fireplace. Dooku could have cared less if Obi-Wan stuck around and Obi didn't.
Finally when everyone had gathered in a circle as the wind howled outside and snow continued its attack on the little temple, Obi-Wan sneaked off to the little garden area and sat by its indoor pond. Although the little boy had not been able to eat, he managed to break off a half a piece of his bread and stuff it in his tunic pocket. He sat on one of the big stones that circled the pond and fed the large colorful coi goldfish that dotted the water.
From behind him, Obi-Wan heard his father's voice.
"You fed Raven and Danny-Boy, you fed the ducks and now the Coi. The only one that really hasn't eaten tonight is you, Padawan."
Obi-Wan didn't have the courage to look up at his father. Determined not to spill tears again, he held his stare on the fish as if to stabilize himself and strengthened his weakened state of emotions. His true desire was to throw himself in his father's arms over the mess everything was in. Too him it was a *big* mess. He didn't like uncertainty and now with his grandfather here wanting him as an apprentice, his life felt filled with it.
"OH! Hi Dad. I guess I just wasn't very hungry at last-meal. That's all."
Qui-Gon watched as he dipped his little hand back into a pocket and pulled out another handful of crumpled bread.
"You know we have food for the coi, if you'd like to go get some of it. Maybe a little extra as a treat would be alright."
"I know. I'll just feed them this bread. No sense it going to waste. Besides I have to get it out of the pocket of my new tunic."
Jinn knelt down beside the boy. He wanted to see his face, gage his reactions, but Obi still tried to stay turned away from him.
"Care to tell me what's wrong?"
Obi-Wan only shrugged his shoulders.
"NO? I think something is bothering you Obi-Wan and I imagine it has something to do with your grandfather. Am I correct?"
There was an eternity of silence or it felt that way before Obi-Wan finally decided to break his silence.
"No use saying anything.. You don't believe me, but Grandfather is controlled by the dark side that lives in him and I'm not ever gonna be around him, especially alone, without you. I got this same feeling when I was in the arms of that Darth Sidious guy, himself. Grandpa scares me Master……He scares me *A LOT*…."
PEACE ewen