Yoda sat at his desk after just hanging up from a long-winded conversation with Master Dooku. //A lot of wind,but not much said it was.// Master Yoda thought he had properly put the former high Jedi master in his place. He let Master Dooku know immediately that Obi-Wan would remain with his father and if the child was to be a Jedi, it would be the honor of his father to train him, not Dooku.
Master Dooku unleashed his opinion, in a shower of shouted-litany, filled with the uncommon usage of vulgar curses and verbal accusations of favortism to Qui-Gon over him by the high master himself. After his direct attack on Master Jinn's ability to successfully train an apprentice, he hung up with Master Yoda.
With Master Yoda against him and more than likely Master Windu, Qui-Gon's best friend, he knew he didn't have a chance of going before the council to argue his objections. No, the boy would remain with Jinn unless he found a way to somehow get the boy from him. He would need more than just himself to do it though. Possibly *friend* would see to it that some very strong force sensitive on the side of the dark would help him.
Master Yoda was a little surprised over Master Dooku's almost violent reaction to the denial of his request to seek council's approval to take the boy as his own. Yoda had known the man since he was brought to the temple to train and had never witnessed such lack of self-control by the Master Dooku before. He knew the man had an uncommonly violent temper, especially for a Jedi master but too actually sit before high Master Yoda and curse his objections to Yoda's denial was even uncommon for the always-unconventional master.
Although expect it he did, Master Yoda jumped in his chair when he comm buzzed again. He knew who it was before he picked it up.
"HUMPH……… Master Jinn trouble I see there is. Comm at my desk, busy it has been. What say you to Dooku's accusation of no conformity of a Jedi, where Obi-Wan is concerned?"
Yoda tried to hold in the cackle that threatened to come.
"Ha! Hah! Master Yoda, glad you can see amusement in all this."
"When nine hundred years old you are, find amusement in most things in life you will. Oh forgot your species live that long they cannot. Longevity of humanoids short by comparison to my species it is."
The cackle previously held in, now came out of the little troll of a master with a roar, at least by his way of speaking it was a roar.
Jinn just rolled his eyes and waited for his former master to get a grip on his thunderous laughter that was beginning to hurt Qui-Gon's ears through the magnification of the sound over the comm.
Master Yoda finally managed to tame his laughter long enough to look compassionately at his beloved former padawan.
"Worry you should not my son, for Dooku take Obi-Wan he can't not. Your parental rights gives custody to you and the right to have him at your side it does."
"But I also know he can cause trouble by requesting I not train Obi. He had to bring up my egregious errors in training Xanatos. I suppose he would put that to the council as a mark against me in having another padawan."
"Council knows of Xani of course we all do. Blame you for his evil, none of us did or ever will. Worry you should not."
"Maybe you should tell Obi-Wan that, I mean about worrying. He insists the dark side lives in Master Dooku, that he feeds off it like an animal consuming it freshly slaughtered prey."
The whimsical look and laughter faded from the diminutive Master Yoda. A look of concern and seriousness over Obi-Wan's words surprised the other master.
"Know how he does, of this dark side?"
"That's the problem my master. I asked him the same thing, in almost the same words. I don't know how he knows and I am not sure he knows either. It is *just* there. I thought maybe it was a vision or premonition. I tried to contact you yesterday, but you were away from the temple. If Obi-Wan could control his shields I could share his knowledge of Master Dooku, if in truth he has something to go on. With my son's inability to lower his shields, comes the perplexing problem of not knowing if this is just some made-up idea he has concocted for him to have to stay away from his grandfather or if the boy has been given some true insight by the force of Master Dooku's *fall from grace* from the Jedi order. I have always suspected he bordered on the dark side, but I never dreamed he would actually step over the line of good and evil. A man could not harbor so much ill- will of others that Dooku sometimes does and not at least question his loyalty to the force.. Neither grandson or grandfather seem to have any kind of connection with the other. Difficult to even recognize any common family bond between them."
Master Yoda hung to every word Master Jinn said with increased interest. He took the possible vision seriously and Jinn could tell by his former master not interrupting his every word, that he did not find this a matter that should go unchecked.
Finally when Qui-Gon finished, he looked at the comm link screen to see Master Yoda deep in thought, his brow formed a look of worry as his former master frowned over the implicating words Master Jinn spoke.
"Worry I have of this my former apprentice. Look into to some things I will. Idea I may have to find out with certainty just where Master Dooku's loyalty lies. Trust the council on this we will not. May consult Master Windu with your revelation I will. If permission from you I have?"
"Well yes. Go ahead and talk this through with Mace but I agree about the council . They might have us locked up for speaking so ill-willed of one of the masters chosen to have their likeness made in a bust for the temple's great hall. Like I said Obi-Wan might just be making this up…"
Yoda threw his hand up in the air to stop Master Jinn for his accusations of his son, no matter how unintentional it was.
"Feel I do, through the force that something out of aligned it is within the force its self.. This might be it, might not. Wrongly accuse Obi-Wan for having an over imaginative mind you should not. Trust in your son I think you should. Trust in your padawan you should even more. I give you leave till this afternoon, I do, my padawan. Talk with you later I will. Must go now and see to my plan I should. Catch this man if evil he harbors. Show the council for what he is, if truth there is of his Jedi failure."
#######downstairs.########
Master Dooku sat at the table and let Mrs. Jinn personally serve him his late break-fast. He intentionally avoided the others in favor of solitude to think through his next move in his plot to get control of his grandson.. Mrs. Jinn wanted to keep this man on good standing, possibly to follow through with his desires to raise Obi-Wan..
Jinn came down and waved off his mother's invitation to join Master Dooku with his late-break-fast. He used the phantom excuse of piled up paper work that awaited his immediate attention.
There had been only a nod between the two masters to acknowledge each other. Both seemed to know an invisible line had been drawn and a battle of sorts for control of Obi-Wan begun. Jinn gave a self-satisfied look to Master Dooku because the first confrontation had been won by Jinn. Yoda had sided with him and it would take more than what Dooku had for him to successfully ask for an audience before the council, concerning Obi's training. Yoda had blocked his first request.
Nothing between the two were spoken and Myra could feel the tension thick in the air until her son excused himself to his office. After a seemingly sigh of indifference toward his former pupil, Dooku languidly resumed eating as if nothing was wrong. The older master was cold and collected even while he sat there and tried to anticipate his next move to insure personal control of his grandson.
He would hate to resort to kidnapping of Obi-Wan but it would not be out of the question. He would just have to leave the Jedi sooner than he had planned.
Jinn left his office only once to venture to the stable to check on Obi-Wan. The boy sat dejectedly with his father's horses. He didn't want to be any where around Master Dooku and Qui-Gon wasn't going to make him until he heard from Master Yoda. He made no mention of it to Obi, of what was said between he and his beloved former master. He didn't want to draw Obi-Wan in all this, unless he absolutely had too.
Once knowing Obi-Wan was safe in the barn, he resumed his place at his desk and watched the comm, while he waited for it to announce Yoda's call. The master did not even go out to mid-meal and feigned work yet needed to be done. Obi-Wan came in and had his mid-day-meal with his dad. That was the only way he would eat. Dooku was absent from mid-meal. He did not want to have to speak with the child at the moment . He was too busy in thought.
No sooner had Qui-Gon sent his son upstairs for an afternoon nap, not normal, but Jinn felt needed on this day, when the comm rang.
Up on the screen popped the welcomed holoview of Yoda.
"Have for you a solution I do. If sneaky and conniving I were, call this a *trap* for Dooku I would. However being the stoic, reserved head master of the Jedi, for appearance sake, call this a* mission* I will. Mission you, Master Dooku, and Obi-Wan to go. Know with certainty if Dooku's allegiance is for the light or the dark side, we will. Be on alert though, you must. Watch your son closely during this *mission* you should. For intricately involved in the *trapped* Obi-Wan will be.....…."
"I'm sorry Master Yoda I think I heard wrong. I know you have lost all sanity if you just said you wanted me to take my son on a mission with a man you tell me to question his motives and loyalties, as it pertains to my son and the Jedi."
"Smart mouth me you will not my padawan. Still carry my gimer stick I do and not too old you are to have it used on you. Know very well you do, of what I said. Have this plan I do and work it will, if capable you are of seeing your son not become a victim, instead of an aid in my plan."
"O.K., Just what is this cure-all-plan of yours. I don't like your insinuations that my son might become in danger while on it. Though I trust my ability to keep him safe, the idea of putting him where harm could befall him, scares me Master Yoda. It truly scares me."
"Scared more you would be if Dooku is of the dark and wants Obi there with him. Xanatos chose his partnership with the dark side, Dooku may be attempting to force Obi-Wan into his. Heard I have that no less than three force sensitive children kidnapped and later became one with the force, suspected to be those of Darth Sidious, they were. Did some research I did on this subject. Taken right out of the arms of their loving parents they were. Darth Sidious desires a young apprentice to train. Had help he did. Some one very high up I think. Here on Coruscant this other mad man works from. Still Obi could be next to suffer the fate the other little ones."
"Why were the children done discarded so readily if Sidious wanted an apprentice of such a young age to start training? Did he have them kidnapped only to kill them?"
"Satisfied with them I think he was not. All in theory this is on my part. Truth and proof of this, I have not. Resembles the work of the dark one; capable of suspending a child, that one is. Then of course all were force sensitive, although not as powerful your Obi-Wan they were not. Rejected by the Jedi they were for their midiclorian count too low it was. Power they possessed not strong enough to be Jedi and if I am a correct not strong enough for Darth Sidious' liking. This mission you undertake may help stop the death of another child plus do away with threat to Obi-Wan once and for all.
"Sure, unless he meets the same fate as the other force-sesnitive children."
"Know to watch him you do. More in Obi-Wan's favor, than was in the little ones that went before him, he has. No one they had to guard and protect them. Now, however we can do that for other misfortunate force-sensitives not powerful enough for the Jedi. Must stop Sidious from assuming he can destroy the galaxy's future by killing it's children in it. Only to satisfy his cruel needs, did he commit these atrocities. Stopped by the Jedi he will be."
"You do not imply Dooku had anything with the other children's disappearance do you?"
"Know with certainty I do not, but think that personally I also do not. Set him up Master Jinn then bring him down you will. Lord Byron and Lady Katrina to celebrate the wedding of their daughter. Just came back from another wedding I did. No desire to go on another Jedi obligatory ceremonial mission. Want you and Dooku together they do. Remember your mission there, you were sent on, when only a young knight you were. Was under Dooku's.. command when you and he partnered together just after your knighthood. . Same will it be this time? The wedding, the kidnapping of the children, and their demise all occurred on same planet, Yennix . That will be where search begins. Wedding delegation masquerades your true mission; one that Dooku will know nothing of. Obi-Wan may be tempting enough to draw Sidious out with his desire for strong force-sensitive by his side. Obi-Wan, that and more he is. You investigate the children for Master Dooku will know of this secret mission he will not."
"Excuse me… What ridiculous thing did you just tell me now, Master Yoda. I have gone along so far with this outrageous scheme of yours, but I may have to stop right here. Now if I heard right, Obi-Wan is to be the bait to catch a mad man, A man whose has already tried to kidnap Obi-Wan to become his apprentice."
Yoda ears perked up with interest and excitement.
"Exactly my Padawan, if Sidious wanted him once, then want him again he will, if feels major battle with a temple full of Jedi he does not have to contend with. Tell Dooku of the request for your joint presence at the wedding on Yennix, I will. The other mission known only to you, it will be. No happier will he be than you are, unless involved in this dark treachery in some way he is. Watch him Qui-Gon Jinn. Learn much from his actions you may.""
"No, Master Yoda I can't do it. I just can't do as you ask in good conscience; use my son as bait in a trap that might turn up Sidious or it might in some way cause Obi-Wan harm. No, I have to call an end to all this."
"End this you will not. Order of the council I can make this mission, if think you refuse it you might. Dooku, elder master then Dooku in command. That's the prodigal followed within the Jedi and abide by it on this mission you also will. Simple mission this can be. What have you to fear? Watch for an attempt on Obi's kidnapping that is your true mission. Need not concern yourself, who oversees it."
Master Jinn lingered at his desk longer than he planned too. He had a meeting scheduled with the knights and the masters of the temple in less than five minutes and he still didn't have any idea what he would say. He got up and moved to the door in slow drawn-out motions as he continued to think through everything Master Yoda told him; every little detail and still he could not rationalize this mission in any light than a severely dangerous one for his son. Then to top things off he was expected by the council and Master Yoda to take orders from Master Dooku, a possible Jedi-gone-bad. Qui-Gon only shook his head in wonderment and disgust.
//I know Master Yoda would not do anything willingly to bring harm to Obi-Wan but maybe he doesn't know how fragile and child-like naïve and insecure my imp is. He is not of the temple crèche. He young far behind his years. I will just have to keep him close to me. How I can do that and investigate the others children's kidnapping and death is beyond me.//
Master Dooku was back at the dining tale with a cup of tea and some kind of reading material. Jinn stopped and decided he would ask the master to attend the meeting.
"Master Dooku would you care to sit in on the meeting with the other masters here at our temple? Just everyday things that matter here. Nothing all that interesting but maybe it is more interesting than that pamphlet you don't seem all that engrossed in."
Dooku smiled. He at one time admired and cared for this master, his former padawan. However he lost much of his admiration he had for Jinn, later on after Yoda finished his training. He felt Qui-Gon let the Jedi rule his life too much and with too much of its sanctimonious convictions.
"I might just do that Master Jinn. Thank You. I find myself more than a little bored to day. I was disappointed that Obi-Wan did not come down for a visit.
"I think he is a little timid for his age. I will talk with him later this evening if he hasn't sought your company before that."
Jinn knew the boy had to at least talk to his father maybe learn something gratify and value worthy about his mother ever how small it might be.
"Don't worry Master Jinn if the does not seek me out by tonight then I will be the one to seek his company. I have a few questions about his mother as well as he might have about her for me."
Qui-Gon did not like the implications of the other master's words. He new though Dooku might be halted from his desire to talk with Obi-Wan after Yoda contacted him sometime today. His mind would be on the mission whether he liked going on it or not.
//Maybe he will leave Obi-Wan alone, for I won't allow another confrontation between the two. Certainly not one that came so closely to Dooku striking his own grandson.//
Just then Qui-Gon was saved from going into Dooku's desire to confront his son that evening, by the older master's buzzing of his comm link.
Dooku looked down and saw that the incoming comm was coming from the temple Coruscant.
"Excuse me Master Jinn I have a comm from Coruscant. Is there somewhere I could take it in private?"
Qui-Gon knew immediately it must be Master Yoda to tell Dooku of the mission. He was indeed anxious for Dooku to receive his orders, just as he had.
Jinn motioned toward his office.
"Please take it in my office and then come to our meeting , when you are finished."
Dooku bowed and went to the head master's office.
Qui-Gon turned and almost ran into his son, who stood there awaiting his dad's attention.
"What is it Obi-Wan? Do you wish to speak to me?"
Obi-Wan only nodded and Jinn could see and feel the fear just as the night before mounting in Obi-Wan.
"Can I go feed the ducks Master. I don't want to be in here any longer."
"Where? You mean in the temple."
"Yes, that and more. I mean I don't ever want to be under the same roof with my mother's father. No not ever ever again…."
"Oh Obi-Wan, I wished you didn't feel that way. I can't let you go back out. It's snowing and the temperature has dropped down below zero. No son, you have to stay in the rest of the day."
Obi-Wan clamped his hands together behind his back and played with the lush carpet under him with a booted foot.
"I don't wanna stay in."
"I know my imp but you have too. I think things might get better for you in a couple of days. Besides I have a surprise for you, but I can't tell you until tomorrow.
"Obi-Wan eyes lit up with the childhood excitement over a surprise.
"Not till tomorrow? That's not fair."
"I know, but you can go with me to my meeting."
Qui-Gon held his hands out and waited for the child to hitch a ride with him in his large oversized arms. Obi-Wan just shook his head no.
"You don't want a lift to the meeting with me?"
"No guess not. I'm too old I suppose. You tell me I can't sleep in your bed, I am too old and I'm too old to cry in front of others, so I guess that means I'm to old to be carried or get a hug. Next thing you will tell me is I'm too old to get a bed time story and a good night kiss."
Jinn recognized his son's desire to be loved and needed; an instinctive desire possessed by all living beings..
"You know Master, if I am too old for all that, then I should be old enough to feed the ducks out in the cold."
Reasoning of a child some times made sense. Too much sense in this situation for it truly was too cold to go out, but if Obi-Wan was too old for the other things then he was right, he was old enough to go out alone to feed his ducklings…
Jinn thrust his extended arms forwards again as an opened welcome beckoning for his son to jump in them.
"What if I said you were not too old for anything you mentioned. What would you do then?"
Obi-Wan turned and lunged for his father's arms.
" I would jump in your arms like this and I would tell you I needed a big bear hug and tonight at bedtime I *insist *on my bedtime story."
Obi-Wan blushed and looked right into his father's eyes, their faces almost touching because of the closeness of them.
"Then of course I will expect my good night kiss..I mean…maybe… if you still don't think I am too old to be loved……………..
Qui-Gon stood in front of a very plain wooden podium as he conducted the meeting concerning the budget for the next year, at the temple. Suggestions he had told the knights and masters gathered, were welcomed and appreciated. That was what he was doing, addressing a stray question and noting a suggestion, when the outer door to the meeting room swung open with such enormous force that it slammed against the inside wall of the meeting room.
No one could miss the air of anger around Master Dooku as he stormed through the door to the meeting room.
In a less than calm or soft voice the master bellowed to Qui-Gon Jinn.
"Master Jinn I need to see you immediately."
"I am sorry Master Dooku. I am in the middle of a meeting here. Can't it wait?"
"No, it can't and I think you know very well of what I speak of. I think you knew before I of this concocted silliness of Master Yoda for us along with *him* to go on this mission."
Dooku nodded at Obi-Wan with anything less than kindness in his face at having to even acknowledge the child.
Master Riddon stood up and went to Master Jinn's side.
"I will be glad to pick up where you leave off. I have been here a long time and know a great deal of this. I can at least stall until your meeting with Master Dooku is over."
Qui-Gon thanked Master Riddon, for he really did appreciate the master helping out. He would have to see to Dooku before he became even more irate in front of every master and knight assembled there.
Obi-Wan did not miss a word that was said. He certainly didn't miss the anger which rolled off his grandfather. He found he was scared again but not for himself, for his father. He jumped out of his chair and started to follow the two masters out into the hall.
He was quickly met by a sharp tug on his arm that made him freeze in his tracks.
Qui-Gon had not seen the action of violence directed at the child for he was ahead of them. He did however hear the reprimand that followed the quick jerk of Obi-Wan's arm.
"No one needs you to follow your father like a little puppy. Now go on your way."
Qui-Gon turned when he heard the arguing just in time as the last sentence came out of Dooku's mouth. There he saw the man, his former master shaking his son violently by the arm. A little moan echoed through the hall. With one step, one very large step, the "table turned" quickly and it was Master Qui-Gon Jinn who had Dooku's arm as he pulled him away from Obi-Wan with a mighty jerk. His right hand held the master at bay away from his son, after Dooku immediately released his hold on Obi-Wan. Master Jinn's left hand was balled up in a fist that came threateningly close to landing a vicious blow to the man's face. That was his immediate desire, before the force gently nudged him and brought the big master back to common sanity; back to his Jedi decorum and quelled his violent desires..
His words came out harsher than he planned to his son with a command to go to his room and remain there until he came for him.
Obi-Wan searched his mind for why is father would be angry at him. He supposed it was because he followed the masters and he was not to do so. He erroneously thought Qui-Gon was as angry with him as he was with his grandfather.
Obi-Wan did not dare look back at the two arguing Jedi. He was afraid too. He took off down the hall and then up the steps to his room. Smitten by the abrupt dismissal of his father, he forgot about the promised surprise of tomorrow. Had he remembered he probably would have been to stubborn to admit he still wanted it. For Obi-Wan Kenobi was cut from the same fabric as his father when it came to being stubborn, obstinate, and just downright pigheaded at times.
Master Jinn waited until Obi-Wan was out of sight and hearing before he blasted Master Dooku.
"Just what do you think gives you the right to manhandle my padawan, my son?"
"Rights as a grandfather where your son is concerned and rights as the master in charge of our mission as it pertains to the padawan in him."
"The master in charge does not assume to take control of some other master's apprentice during the mission unless something necessitates it for the welfare of that mission. Besides we haven't even left yet."
A smirk came over Dooku and then gentle laughter just above hearing came from the older master.
"Just getting in practice. I am aware that you control your apprentice unless I find something that would demand I take over his guidance. Shame it would be if the child actually had to perform at a Jedi apprentice level with consequences matching those of other apprentices who don't' do what they are told on a mission. I will be ever alert to Obi-Wan's behavior on this mission, Qui-Gon. I just may find a reason to control Obi-Wan myself, even though this is only ceremonial affair. One never knows what might come up on a mission do we? Keep a very good eye on your apprentice and son, Master Jinn. One step out of line, one misspoken word, or even a minute too late for a meal, when presumes his position as your son, I can do nothing about.... However if I notice him make one of those errors, ever how small and seemingly trivial as an apprentice, I will see to it personally that he is disciplined harshly for it. I assure you Qui-Gon, this mission for Obi-Wan will not be an easy or enjoyable one. At least I don't foresee him enjoying taking any orders from me."
Master Dooku left an irate Master Jinn standing alone in the hall with thoughts of possibly killing the man; an exaggeration but not by much. Jinn's first inclination was to contact Yoda with this bit of news. Dooku wanted to in some way control his son. Any way would do evidently. //What would be the use of contacting Yoda? I still have to abide by the Jedi rules and let him run the mission and possibly take control of my apprentice. I think Dooku would like nothing better than to make up a reason for gaining control of Obi-Wan; to force him in some way to stay by his side instead of mine. This is one time I would like to tell the Jedi council to take their Jedi ideologies *stick them where the sun doesn't shine*. Don't suppose that would endear me to any of the council, especially Yoda.//
Qui-Gon gained control of his emotions and went back to the meeting. It was almost two hours before he got a chance to fill Obi-Wan in on what was going on.
He told the little boy of his surprise which Obi-Wan was not happy about. Going on a mission with his grandfather commandeering that mission was the last thing he wanted to do. Of course he didn't want his dad to go with Dooku without him. What a little one like him could do was beyond the realm of imagination. But he would go with his dad.
Jinn explained to Obi that he was not angry with him over the situation earlier. It was his grandmfather, Jinn told Obi, that distressed the Jedi master so. He did allude to the fact that Obi-Wan would have to act more mature on this mission. That hurt the little padawan because he felt his father was in some way demoralizing him for being a child.
Things between father and son were straightened out, though not completely. Obi-Wan still suffered from a bruised ego over his father's opinion that he acted younger than his years.
Jinn also felt the need to straighten Master Dooku out on a few things. He would only allow the man to go so far. If it meant he took Obi-Wan out of the apprentice program to see abuse was not done to him by Dooku he would do it. Qui-Gon found Master Dooku in deep meditation or it seemed that way.
"Come in Master Jinn I thought I would see you before last-meal was served. I suppose you want to discuss our mission."
"Not really, I want to discuss this ridiculous idea of yours that you can produce a perfect padawan out of my son during a two week mission. I know you and I think I know what you have planned. I don't like it one bit Master Dooku. I want you to leave my son alone."
"Do you forget Master Jinn, he is my grandson and I will be the master in charge on the mission. As your son I can do nothing to Obi-Wan for any kind of misbehavior, but as your apprentice I can very much involve myself if I see him out of line in any way during his tenure as apprentice to you on this mission."
"Why are doing this Master Dooku? He is but a child, not yet ready for complete apprenticeship yet."
"Well if you felt him not ready, you and Master Yoda should not have pushed him into his apprenticeship so soon. I know of the bond the child is so confused over that he can not reopen it."
You don't need to concern yourself about it. He will manage his shields later when he is able to grasp the help of the force better."
Yes, of course. Face it Jinn, he is a wimp and cry-baby. He reminds me of his mother so much, I can't stand to look him sometimes."
"Then why concern yourself with him if you can't stand to be around him?"
"You and your abiding Jedi realisms. Face it Jinn he won't make it to knighthood. He's weak."
"Oh and we both know how you despise weakness don't we? I have no fear of his future abilities to reach knighthood or in his ever willing desire to steer clear of dark side. As far as your concern about my Jedi loyalty it is always there and never ending. Now you know of where my loyalties lie Master Dooku, always with the Jedi. Can I be sure that is where yours are? Or is there something else behind your drive toward success? Are your interests and desires still of the light or have you been tempted and have another driving force behind you? "
"Be. Very. Careful. of what you say to me. I am still high enough in the order that someone will listen to me, if I go before the council. I am not without friends there although they might not be as powerful as Mace or Master Yoda, they still sit on the council. Too suggest that I walk on the dark side now is ludicrous and I resent it. We should at least try to be civil to each other. After all, where is the idea of that shared family love?"
"I think that family love idea went up in smoke with the ridiculous idea I had that you could be a loving grandfather to my son….."
Had this been a mission that required just his and his master's presence, it would have been so much more fun for the little padawan. He sat in the corner of the assigned set of rooms for the Jedi's visit and mulled over the desperate shape he was in. Obi-Wan was far from being pleased about this mission. He had to act grown-up, whatever that meant and he had to be on his best behavior. Now that in its self was a hard thing for a little boy of eight, not trained through his early years in the Jedi crèche. Had he been, he was sure he would act older and seem wiser but….
Obi-Wan Kenobi was a miserable eight-year old training not in the ways of the Jedi as Master Dooku said he wanted, Obi was training to maintain a mantle of deceit and nothing more. He didn't have the time to become a Jedi apprentice. No matter what his grandfather thought it couldn't be accomplished overnight. This was very hard work for the child; being someone he clearly wasn't yet, a Jedi apprentice.. It was equally as hard putting on a façade of being one. The little Jedi wasn't ready for an admission of incompetence at his ability to be an apprentice, so he worked all the harder to mimic one for his father's sake and most of all for his. He certainly didn't want his grandfather, Master Dooku to have any control of him.
Obi-Wan made a lame attempt at meditation. It was hard to stay focused though, with thought of the possibility of failing his master and father during the mission. He reached for the force as Master Jinn taught him, he just couldn't get a grasp on it. He wanted the force to help him regain his bond with his father. He was getting more and more upset over not sharing the intimacy of mind communication with Jinn.
//I did what Master said to do and still nothing.. If only I could lower my shields and allow my master back in. I would accept the bond willingly. It is so much lonelier without our training bond even though my dad is always right with me. Master never said a truer statement than when he said the future within the force was ever elusive. It sure is. I can't even find it.//
Obi-Wan did not realize that he could suffer sides effects from a bond formed but not shared with its counterpart, his master. Qui-Gon himself forgot that the boy could soon start suffering the side effects of a dormant bond. He, however with age and experience could easily ward of the effects, where as Obi-Wan couldn't.
This would only be additional trouble on the mission. The child, not knowing what is going on, might be more than just cranky but belligerent because of the unfamiliar feeling of inner turmoil that an interrupted bond would bring.
Qui-Gon Jinn and Master Dooku entered the larger common room which had two bedrooms adjoining it. Quite a luxurious suite for Jedi who required very little to make them comfortable. Jinn noticed his son appeared to be in meditation, but when he reached out with a tendril of the force, he realized looks could be deceiving.
Obi-Wan might have attempted to reach the force with the solitude of meditation, but now he only knelt with his head down waiting to be dismissed from his obligatory meditative state.
Obi felt a gentle hand on his shoulder and heard a equally gentle command from his father, no his master, that he could get up now. He fought hard to remember that Master Dooku explicitly mentioned Obi-Wan was not to call Qui-Gon dad or father while on a mission as an apprentice for the Jedi. He was to call him only *Master*.
Master Dooku called it Jedi *Protocol*, but Obi thought it was just another excuse to find a way for him to screw up. Anything would receive a quick reprimand by Dooku. Obi-Wan got the feeling that the man was waiting to pounce on any little mistake he made. That lone thought only fueled the boy's apprehension about this trip outside the temple. He became more miserable and withdrawn with each passing hour.
//Two weeks of this. I have been hear two hours and its killing me. I won't ever make it that long without messing up some way. That's just me. The more I try to do things right, the more I don't.//
The only thing to bring any solace to the child at all was when just now, his master used kind words and a gentle touch to try ease the worry in his son.
Both masters seemed anxious to lose the other. Dooku feigned calls necessary to be made to his satellite temple to make sure things ran smoothly there, then he planned to that the three hours before the large diplomatic reception, to catch up on some sleep. Jinn said the wanted to visit the city and show Obi-Wan around.
Dooku rolled his eyes in obvious contempt for his grandson and excused himself to his bedroom.
Jinn gave Obi-Wan one quick once over to make sure he assumed the customary tradition of the Jedi apprentice appearance
//Yes, robe on, hood up, and shoulders straight, Obi-Wan looks perfect. Now the test, he has to act that way, *perfect*. He certainly could pull off the looks of a Jedi apprentice. Now all he has to do is remember to act accordingly. "Sith" knows I have gone over every little detail with him concerning his mannerisms while on this mission.//
They had only made it a few blocks toward the city when Obi-Wan started with the veracity of either a confused or temperamental child. Qui-Gon found it hard to differentiate the two at this point, especially when it came to his *imp*.
"Am I far enough away, Master? Did you say two steps or three to your left? Should they be long stretched out steps or teeny-tiny, weenie-beanie small steps behind and then to your left? Can I keep my head up or should I lower it like some * ZEN* monk on a isolated mountain in a temple of silence."
//Where did he pull that one from, out of thin air?//
Qui-Gon only shut his eyes for a moment, drew from the force the well needed extra calming, and answered one by the one the questions Obi-Wan rattled off to him.
"It is three steps back and one to the left of me. No, Obi-Wan it is not necessary to take either teeny-tiny, weenie-beanie, small steps or a long stretched-out ones, a normal size step will suffice. Oh, and Obi-Wan you don't have to walk with your head hung down like some silent monk, you may look up or down, your choice my little one. It would be good if you could see where you are going."
There, satisfied he answered all the last set of questions, the master went back to his thoughts of the secret mission he was on.
He shook his head and mumbled something incomprehensible under his breath and hastened his pace to get to the city. Qui-Gon wanted to see if he could find out anything about the missing children and he had to do it without Obi-Wan gaining knowledge of what he was doing.
//Sure, that will happen!!! //
A touch of sarcasm, even though the words were thought and not spoken.
On and on went the questions as they walked. Qui-Gon thought it would never stop. He understood the child's desire to do the best he could, //but how can he come up with so many nonsensical questions,// thought the Jedi master.
Obi-Wan's insistent nagging had finally riled the master to a boiling point. While he had no desire to be overly corrective of his son, he did feel the need to halt the continual onslaught of questions that he felt had gone on long enough.
Master Jinn stopped dead in his tracks. It was indeed a good thing that Obi-Wan had done as he was told and walked to the left of his master, for otherwise he would have run over him. Evidently Obi-Wan chose the option of lowering his head as he referred to the monk doing and wasn't watching where he was going. Only after he passed his master did he know Qui-Gon had even stopped.
Qui-Gon turned to face Obi-Wan, who now stood to his side because he hadn't paid attention to what Jinn was doing.
"Oh excuse me..Da…I mean master. Why did we stop in the middle of nowhere? Is there something wrong.?"
"Another question for me? Do you realize that is all you have done since we left our dwelling, is come up with some of the most ridiculous questions someone could think of. And then actually ask them. Just how much forethought did it take to do come up with some of them?"
Obi-Wan thought for a second. He could not think of one "ridiculous" question he asked. All of them, too him, were very necessary if he was to do the best he could. He took it as a personal insult to himself for his father to think his questions were ridiculous, //and what does he mean by *forethought*?//
"I thought all my questions were very necessary to insure I did everything right. If you think they were "stupid", I just won't ask any more. Maybe that way I can get into trouble when Master Dooku sees me make a "stupid mistake" because I didn't ask the "right stupid question". How's that?"
"*That* sounds like you are being rude to me young man and we will discuss this later. We have some business to attend too, so let's not dally here in "the middle nowhere", as you call it."
Interest piqued in the little one when he heard his master speak of business. There was to be no business here, just a wedding to attend. Obi-Wan caught Jinn's spoken misnomer quickly.
"What business Da…I mean Master? I thought we are only here for a wedding an nothing more."
It was only then that Qui-Gon realized he had already almost let his true reason for being here out to Obi-Wan.
He tried to sidetrack the question at first.
"That was the second time you almost called me father. Don't let Master Dooku hear you do that. It might be enough reason to get him started about your less-than-conquered Jedi abilities."
Jinn hated to resort to using fear on Obi-Wan to keep his mind off what he said, but he couldn't let the child know of his other mission. It just was not safe to do so.
Worry came back to the little boy just as he was able to breathe a little easier being away from his cruel grandfather.
"Oh alright, I will try to do better. No, I mean I will do better. Master Yoda told me once there is no "try", although I think he might be wrong, I sure won't be the one to tell him that."
Jinn turned to look at his son one more time. The dark brown Jedi robe a bit too long in the sleeves, his face ruddy by the harsh wind, and glass-glazed indigo eyes, also created by the sting of the strong continuous wind, made the master smile.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi, I think the force sent you to me to test my endurance and patience."
A look of sadness and in the words of a child; "If the *force* had its hand in it at all, I was sent to you cause my momma died and nothing more."
Just as quickly as it came, the moment of sadness retreated to allow Obi-Wan to continue what he thought was his rational reasoning with his master.
"Besides Master, I haven't done anything a normal kid wouldn't do. You have to ask questions if you want to know the answers. I want the answers to every question, because I want to learn *everything* there is to know!!!!!!!!!….
//"I want the answers to every question, because I want to learn *everything* there is to know!!!!!!!!!…."//
Obi-Wan's words played back through Jinn's mind over and over. If nothing else the master thought Obi-Wan was at least ambitious in his desire to learn and grow with what he learned. Finally chilled to the bone, Master and mini apprentice in tow, reached their destination.
//Nothing impressive looking about this old run-down café. I hope we are hear to see someone. I don't think I want to chance the possibility of food poisoning from eating here. Nah.. Master never like to eat out. Although if we found a good place for burger and fires, I would not object to it. //
Obi listened to his stomach growl and hoped that it was not an error in Jedi training to let his hunger pains release their anger not into the force, but straight in his gut and out to his ears.
He laughed at his little mental joke to himself. He immediately set his joking aside, to plaster his Jedi face and thoughts back in place. He would hate to disappoint his master or worse yet have the people he visited complain to the head master of this mission which was of course. //Good ole Grandpa!!!// Hard as he tried, Obi-Wan could not keep humor out of his mischievous mind. It was the only thing that helped unseat the worry he had about getting through the mission with Dooku watching every little move he made in hopes of a mistake; some error on Obi-Wan's part that would allow Dooku's intervention Qui-Gon's tutelage of the little padawan.
Master Jinn made his apprentice sit at a table in the far corner while he went to the counter and got Obi-Wan a piping hot cup of hot chocolate and himself a cup of tea. After delivering Obi-Wan's drink to him, he gave Obi-Wan a gave stern but friendly command to stay where he was. Jinn went back to the counter and waited for someone. Or so Obi-Wan supposed. After maybe five minutes a blue hue of a species barely transparent to the human eye walked in the cantina/café and went directly to his master. Obi knew this was be who his dad waited on but why?
//We aren't on a mission that's real. I mean, it's a wedding party.// Obi-Wan watched with interest until that nagging nervous feeling, the child had recently acquired out of nowhere, hit him again.
//It's probably a friend of my master's,// pleased with himself by his reference to his father as master, although unspoken. //He won't care if I go over there now. He probably wanted me to rest and get warm and that is why he put me over here.// Obi-Wan looked up saw a heat vent and reasoned, but he really didn't care if he was correct, that Master put him there because of the overhead heat vent afforded.
Obi-Wan got up very carefully, without even noisily scrapping the chair legs on the floor and sauntered ever so slowly over to his master. Jinn, deep in conversation, did not take the time to be alert to the things around him. He didn't anticipate an attack and though he shouldn't have let his guard down, ever how peaceful the mission seemed to be, he did.
Obi-Wan managed to reach his father without being noticed and even unintentionally eavesdrop on Qui-Gon and mysterious translucent man of blue.
Obi-Wan's eyes doubled in size with astonishment over what he had just heard, but probably wasn't suppose too. He started to back away from his master. He knew instantly when he *heard* what he *heard*,it was not meant for his ears to *hear*.
If only the little Jedi had taken the time to turn and go back to his seat without backpedaling, which caused the inability to see where he was going, he might have been able to reach his seat before his master even noticed him. He fell over the chair behind him and Jinn instantly let his eyes drift from the man he spoke with to noise behind him.
Qui-Gon saw a pile of bunched up material of deep rich brown, a Jedi robe laying in a crumpled heap with a very small body under it.. He knew it was Obi, but not by the face of the figure on the floor. It was obscured by the Jedi robe wrapped snugly over Obi-Wan's face when it whipped in the air, as the boy tumbled to the floor.
Once untangling himself from the confines of his robe, Obi-Wan looked up and he watched a shadow darkened the space around him. There, up high above him stood his master, who seemed to be wiping his mouth as if in exasperation over something. In truth Jinn had to hide a smile on his lips from the boy and he put his hand over his mouth.
The smile was quickly withdrawn when Qui-Gon realized the consequence of Obi-Wan's actions. It would be an incredible burden for the child to carry now; the secret of a mission his grandfather was not to know of.
Jinn, for Obi's sake, kept it from him, but now he knew it must be shared with the little one who was unsure the force even existed, let lone to trust in it and carry his secret faithfully.
Obi-Wan could do nothing but try to right himself and wait for the rebuke that would surely follow his disobedience. He placed both hands behind him and pushed himself up. He then dusted off his robe and looked up to a beet-faced master, humiliated by Obi-Wan's clumsiness and most importantly his desire to eavesdrop on a private conversation.
If Obi-Wan was mortified over his fall and getting caught, Jinn was even more mortified than Obi-Wan, for his blatant disregard for his master's command. To disobey an order from a master on a mission, no matter how trivial that mission was, could bring severe censure for his actions.
It was in that second, that blink of an eye, Qui-Gon knew he had to hardened his heart toward this little one before him. No matter how much he loved him, he would serve no purpose for him to be lenient with his son with his apprentice. In fact it might be more harmful to let Obi-Wan slide this time; not as his son but as his apprentice.
Jinn would have to erect a difference set of shields. Not themental shields all Jedi had and Obi-Wan possessed, but lacked the ability to use. The shileds that would put up would be around his heart to keep his son's misery from tearing his heart apart when he had to do something like this; severely reprimand the child, not as his son but as his padawan for his actions.
Life as a Jedi in general was hard, a Jedi master with an apprentice-in-training harder, and a Jedi apprentice had an even harder life. The sooner Obi-Wan realized that, the better off he would be, if he hoped for knighthood.
Jinn himself will have to get a grip on how hard being a Jedi master was, especially to his son. It was so much more intense having your son as your apprentice. There was love there and fear for his welfare. Not that Qui-Gon had not cared deeply for his apprentices or worried about their well being. With Obi it was intensified more dynamic because every feeling was multiplied. His son had a powerful grip on the rugged master's heart.
Master Jinn braced himself for what he had to do. He pointed to his head with a violent motion with his index finger.
A confused Obi-Wan only stood there and watched, then listened.
"Do you have gray matter up in there?" If so, what is it called?"
"That's easy Master, my brain."
Jinn didn't have a look of anger and that went over well with Obi-Wan. He began to think he was not in much trouble after all.
Still without a hint of anger but with a piercing stare, Master Jinn *shot daggers* through his son and apprentice.
"Next time, try using your brain. I thought for a moment you didn't have one. You certainly haven't exhibited any usage of it this day. Now go back to the table where I asked you to stay and let me continue this conversation with my friend over there. We will discuss this later in the privacy…"
Qui-Gon stopped in mid-sentence and thought for a moment, there will be no privacy. However upset with his son or disappointed in his disobeying of him, Jinn would not betray those disappointments to Master Dooku to feed ammo for him to use against Obi-Wan.
"Never mind, we don't have a place of privacy to discuss this because of your grandfather, but I guarantee you, Padawan Kenobi, a very long talk is *promised* you, before this day is over…"
PEACE ewen
Master Dooku unleashed his opinion, in a shower of shouted-litany, filled with the uncommon usage of vulgar curses and verbal accusations of favortism to Qui-Gon over him by the high master himself. After his direct attack on Master Jinn's ability to successfully train an apprentice, he hung up with Master Yoda.
With Master Yoda against him and more than likely Master Windu, Qui-Gon's best friend, he knew he didn't have a chance of going before the council to argue his objections. No, the boy would remain with Jinn unless he found a way to somehow get the boy from him. He would need more than just himself to do it though. Possibly *friend* would see to it that some very strong force sensitive on the side of the dark would help him.
Master Yoda was a little surprised over Master Dooku's almost violent reaction to the denial of his request to seek council's approval to take the boy as his own. Yoda had known the man since he was brought to the temple to train and had never witnessed such lack of self-control by the Master Dooku before. He knew the man had an uncommonly violent temper, especially for a Jedi master but too actually sit before high Master Yoda and curse his objections to Yoda's denial was even uncommon for the always-unconventional master.
Although expect it he did, Master Yoda jumped in his chair when he comm buzzed again. He knew who it was before he picked it up.
"HUMPH……… Master Jinn trouble I see there is. Comm at my desk, busy it has been. What say you to Dooku's accusation of no conformity of a Jedi, where Obi-Wan is concerned?"
Yoda tried to hold in the cackle that threatened to come.
"Ha! Hah! Master Yoda, glad you can see amusement in all this."
"When nine hundred years old you are, find amusement in most things in life you will. Oh forgot your species live that long they cannot. Longevity of humanoids short by comparison to my species it is."
The cackle previously held in, now came out of the little troll of a master with a roar, at least by his way of speaking it was a roar.
Jinn just rolled his eyes and waited for his former master to get a grip on his thunderous laughter that was beginning to hurt Qui-Gon's ears through the magnification of the sound over the comm.
Master Yoda finally managed to tame his laughter long enough to look compassionately at his beloved former padawan.
"Worry you should not my son, for Dooku take Obi-Wan he can't not. Your parental rights gives custody to you and the right to have him at your side it does."
"But I also know he can cause trouble by requesting I not train Obi. He had to bring up my egregious errors in training Xanatos. I suppose he would put that to the council as a mark against me in having another padawan."
"Council knows of Xani of course we all do. Blame you for his evil, none of us did or ever will. Worry you should not."
"Maybe you should tell Obi-Wan that, I mean about worrying. He insists the dark side lives in Master Dooku, that he feeds off it like an animal consuming it freshly slaughtered prey."
The whimsical look and laughter faded from the diminutive Master Yoda. A look of concern and seriousness over Obi-Wan's words surprised the other master.
"Know how he does, of this dark side?"
"That's the problem my master. I asked him the same thing, in almost the same words. I don't know how he knows and I am not sure he knows either. It is *just* there. I thought maybe it was a vision or premonition. I tried to contact you yesterday, but you were away from the temple. If Obi-Wan could control his shields I could share his knowledge of Master Dooku, if in truth he has something to go on. With my son's inability to lower his shields, comes the perplexing problem of not knowing if this is just some made-up idea he has concocted for him to have to stay away from his grandfather or if the boy has been given some true insight by the force of Master Dooku's *fall from grace* from the Jedi order. I have always suspected he bordered on the dark side, but I never dreamed he would actually step over the line of good and evil. A man could not harbor so much ill- will of others that Dooku sometimes does and not at least question his loyalty to the force.. Neither grandson or grandfather seem to have any kind of connection with the other. Difficult to even recognize any common family bond between them."
Master Yoda hung to every word Master Jinn said with increased interest. He took the possible vision seriously and Jinn could tell by his former master not interrupting his every word, that he did not find this a matter that should go unchecked.
Finally when Qui-Gon finished, he looked at the comm link screen to see Master Yoda deep in thought, his brow formed a look of worry as his former master frowned over the implicating words Master Jinn spoke.
"Worry I have of this my former apprentice. Look into to some things I will. Idea I may have to find out with certainty just where Master Dooku's loyalty lies. Trust the council on this we will not. May consult Master Windu with your revelation I will. If permission from you I have?"
"Well yes. Go ahead and talk this through with Mace but I agree about the council . They might have us locked up for speaking so ill-willed of one of the masters chosen to have their likeness made in a bust for the temple's great hall. Like I said Obi-Wan might just be making this up…"
Yoda threw his hand up in the air to stop Master Jinn for his accusations of his son, no matter how unintentional it was.
"Feel I do, through the force that something out of aligned it is within the force its self.. This might be it, might not. Wrongly accuse Obi-Wan for having an over imaginative mind you should not. Trust in your son I think you should. Trust in your padawan you should even more. I give you leave till this afternoon, I do, my padawan. Talk with you later I will. Must go now and see to my plan I should. Catch this man if evil he harbors. Show the council for what he is, if truth there is of his Jedi failure."
#######downstairs.########
Master Dooku sat at the table and let Mrs. Jinn personally serve him his late break-fast. He intentionally avoided the others in favor of solitude to think through his next move in his plot to get control of his grandson.. Mrs. Jinn wanted to keep this man on good standing, possibly to follow through with his desires to raise Obi-Wan..
Jinn came down and waved off his mother's invitation to join Master Dooku with his late-break-fast. He used the phantom excuse of piled up paper work that awaited his immediate attention.
There had been only a nod between the two masters to acknowledge each other. Both seemed to know an invisible line had been drawn and a battle of sorts for control of Obi-Wan begun. Jinn gave a self-satisfied look to Master Dooku because the first confrontation had been won by Jinn. Yoda had sided with him and it would take more than what Dooku had for him to successfully ask for an audience before the council, concerning Obi's training. Yoda had blocked his first request.
Nothing between the two were spoken and Myra could feel the tension thick in the air until her son excused himself to his office. After a seemingly sigh of indifference toward his former pupil, Dooku languidly resumed eating as if nothing was wrong. The older master was cold and collected even while he sat there and tried to anticipate his next move to insure personal control of his grandson.
He would hate to resort to kidnapping of Obi-Wan but it would not be out of the question. He would just have to leave the Jedi sooner than he had planned.
Jinn left his office only once to venture to the stable to check on Obi-Wan. The boy sat dejectedly with his father's horses. He didn't want to be any where around Master Dooku and Qui-Gon wasn't going to make him until he heard from Master Yoda. He made no mention of it to Obi, of what was said between he and his beloved former master. He didn't want to draw Obi-Wan in all this, unless he absolutely had too.
Once knowing Obi-Wan was safe in the barn, he resumed his place at his desk and watched the comm, while he waited for it to announce Yoda's call. The master did not even go out to mid-meal and feigned work yet needed to be done. Obi-Wan came in and had his mid-day-meal with his dad. That was the only way he would eat. Dooku was absent from mid-meal. He did not want to have to speak with the child at the moment . He was too busy in thought.
No sooner had Qui-Gon sent his son upstairs for an afternoon nap, not normal, but Jinn felt needed on this day, when the comm rang.
Up on the screen popped the welcomed holoview of Yoda.
"Have for you a solution I do. If sneaky and conniving I were, call this a *trap* for Dooku I would. However being the stoic, reserved head master of the Jedi, for appearance sake, call this a* mission* I will. Mission you, Master Dooku, and Obi-Wan to go. Know with certainty if Dooku's allegiance is for the light or the dark side, we will. Be on alert though, you must. Watch your son closely during this *mission* you should. For intricately involved in the *trapped* Obi-Wan will be.....…."
"I'm sorry Master Yoda I think I heard wrong. I know you have lost all sanity if you just said you wanted me to take my son on a mission with a man you tell me to question his motives and loyalties, as it pertains to my son and the Jedi."
"Smart mouth me you will not my padawan. Still carry my gimer stick I do and not too old you are to have it used on you. Know very well you do, of what I said. Have this plan I do and work it will, if capable you are of seeing your son not become a victim, instead of an aid in my plan."
"O.K., Just what is this cure-all-plan of yours. I don't like your insinuations that my son might become in danger while on it. Though I trust my ability to keep him safe, the idea of putting him where harm could befall him, scares me Master Yoda. It truly scares me."
"Scared more you would be if Dooku is of the dark and wants Obi there with him. Xanatos chose his partnership with the dark side, Dooku may be attempting to force Obi-Wan into his. Heard I have that no less than three force sensitive children kidnapped and later became one with the force, suspected to be those of Darth Sidious, they were. Did some research I did on this subject. Taken right out of the arms of their loving parents they were. Darth Sidious desires a young apprentice to train. Had help he did. Some one very high up I think. Here on Coruscant this other mad man works from. Still Obi could be next to suffer the fate the other little ones."
"Why were the children done discarded so readily if Sidious wanted an apprentice of such a young age to start training? Did he have them kidnapped only to kill them?"
"Satisfied with them I think he was not. All in theory this is on my part. Truth and proof of this, I have not. Resembles the work of the dark one; capable of suspending a child, that one is. Then of course all were force sensitive, although not as powerful your Obi-Wan they were not. Rejected by the Jedi they were for their midiclorian count too low it was. Power they possessed not strong enough to be Jedi and if I am a correct not strong enough for Darth Sidious' liking. This mission you undertake may help stop the death of another child plus do away with threat to Obi-Wan once and for all.
"Sure, unless he meets the same fate as the other force-sesnitive children."
"Know to watch him you do. More in Obi-Wan's favor, than was in the little ones that went before him, he has. No one they had to guard and protect them. Now, however we can do that for other misfortunate force-sensitives not powerful enough for the Jedi. Must stop Sidious from assuming he can destroy the galaxy's future by killing it's children in it. Only to satisfy his cruel needs, did he commit these atrocities. Stopped by the Jedi he will be."
"You do not imply Dooku had anything with the other children's disappearance do you?"
"Know with certainty I do not, but think that personally I also do not. Set him up Master Jinn then bring him down you will. Lord Byron and Lady Katrina to celebrate the wedding of their daughter. Just came back from another wedding I did. No desire to go on another Jedi obligatory ceremonial mission. Want you and Dooku together they do. Remember your mission there, you were sent on, when only a young knight you were. Was under Dooku's.. command when you and he partnered together just after your knighthood. . Same will it be this time? The wedding, the kidnapping of the children, and their demise all occurred on same planet, Yennix . That will be where search begins. Wedding delegation masquerades your true mission; one that Dooku will know nothing of. Obi-Wan may be tempting enough to draw Sidious out with his desire for strong force-sensitive by his side. Obi-Wan, that and more he is. You investigate the children for Master Dooku will know of this secret mission he will not."
"Excuse me… What ridiculous thing did you just tell me now, Master Yoda. I have gone along so far with this outrageous scheme of yours, but I may have to stop right here. Now if I heard right, Obi-Wan is to be the bait to catch a mad man, A man whose has already tried to kidnap Obi-Wan to become his apprentice."
Yoda ears perked up with interest and excitement.
"Exactly my Padawan, if Sidious wanted him once, then want him again he will, if feels major battle with a temple full of Jedi he does not have to contend with. Tell Dooku of the request for your joint presence at the wedding on Yennix, I will. The other mission known only to you, it will be. No happier will he be than you are, unless involved in this dark treachery in some way he is. Watch him Qui-Gon Jinn. Learn much from his actions you may.""
"No, Master Yoda I can't do it. I just can't do as you ask in good conscience; use my son as bait in a trap that might turn up Sidious or it might in some way cause Obi-Wan harm. No, I have to call an end to all this."
"End this you will not. Order of the council I can make this mission, if think you refuse it you might. Dooku, elder master then Dooku in command. That's the prodigal followed within the Jedi and abide by it on this mission you also will. Simple mission this can be. What have you to fear? Watch for an attempt on Obi's kidnapping that is your true mission. Need not concern yourself, who oversees it."
Master Jinn lingered at his desk longer than he planned too. He had a meeting scheduled with the knights and the masters of the temple in less than five minutes and he still didn't have any idea what he would say. He got up and moved to the door in slow drawn-out motions as he continued to think through everything Master Yoda told him; every little detail and still he could not rationalize this mission in any light than a severely dangerous one for his son. Then to top things off he was expected by the council and Master Yoda to take orders from Master Dooku, a possible Jedi-gone-bad. Qui-Gon only shook his head in wonderment and disgust.
//I know Master Yoda would not do anything willingly to bring harm to Obi-Wan but maybe he doesn't know how fragile and child-like naïve and insecure my imp is. He is not of the temple crèche. He young far behind his years. I will just have to keep him close to me. How I can do that and investigate the others children's kidnapping and death is beyond me.//
Master Dooku was back at the dining tale with a cup of tea and some kind of reading material. Jinn stopped and decided he would ask the master to attend the meeting.
"Master Dooku would you care to sit in on the meeting with the other masters here at our temple? Just everyday things that matter here. Nothing all that interesting but maybe it is more interesting than that pamphlet you don't seem all that engrossed in."
Dooku smiled. He at one time admired and cared for this master, his former padawan. However he lost much of his admiration he had for Jinn, later on after Yoda finished his training. He felt Qui-Gon let the Jedi rule his life too much and with too much of its sanctimonious convictions.
"I might just do that Master Jinn. Thank You. I find myself more than a little bored to day. I was disappointed that Obi-Wan did not come down for a visit.
"I think he is a little timid for his age. I will talk with him later this evening if he hasn't sought your company before that."
Jinn knew the boy had to at least talk to his father maybe learn something gratify and value worthy about his mother ever how small it might be.
"Don't worry Master Jinn if the does not seek me out by tonight then I will be the one to seek his company. I have a few questions about his mother as well as he might have about her for me."
Qui-Gon did not like the implications of the other master's words. He new though Dooku might be halted from his desire to talk with Obi-Wan after Yoda contacted him sometime today. His mind would be on the mission whether he liked going on it or not.
//Maybe he will leave Obi-Wan alone, for I won't allow another confrontation between the two. Certainly not one that came so closely to Dooku striking his own grandson.//
Just then Qui-Gon was saved from going into Dooku's desire to confront his son that evening, by the older master's buzzing of his comm link.
Dooku looked down and saw that the incoming comm was coming from the temple Coruscant.
"Excuse me Master Jinn I have a comm from Coruscant. Is there somewhere I could take it in private?"
Qui-Gon knew immediately it must be Master Yoda to tell Dooku of the mission. He was indeed anxious for Dooku to receive his orders, just as he had.
Jinn motioned toward his office.
"Please take it in my office and then come to our meeting , when you are finished."
Dooku bowed and went to the head master's office.
Qui-Gon turned and almost ran into his son, who stood there awaiting his dad's attention.
"What is it Obi-Wan? Do you wish to speak to me?"
Obi-Wan only nodded and Jinn could see and feel the fear just as the night before mounting in Obi-Wan.
"Can I go feed the ducks Master. I don't want to be in here any longer."
"Where? You mean in the temple."
"Yes, that and more. I mean I don't ever want to be under the same roof with my mother's father. No not ever ever again…."
"Oh Obi-Wan, I wished you didn't feel that way. I can't let you go back out. It's snowing and the temperature has dropped down below zero. No son, you have to stay in the rest of the day."
Obi-Wan clamped his hands together behind his back and played with the lush carpet under him with a booted foot.
"I don't wanna stay in."
"I know my imp but you have too. I think things might get better for you in a couple of days. Besides I have a surprise for you, but I can't tell you until tomorrow.
"Obi-Wan eyes lit up with the childhood excitement over a surprise.
"Not till tomorrow? That's not fair."
"I know, but you can go with me to my meeting."
Qui-Gon held his hands out and waited for the child to hitch a ride with him in his large oversized arms. Obi-Wan just shook his head no.
"You don't want a lift to the meeting with me?"
"No guess not. I'm too old I suppose. You tell me I can't sleep in your bed, I am too old and I'm too old to cry in front of others, so I guess that means I'm to old to be carried or get a hug. Next thing you will tell me is I'm too old to get a bed time story and a good night kiss."
Jinn recognized his son's desire to be loved and needed; an instinctive desire possessed by all living beings..
"You know Master, if I am too old for all that, then I should be old enough to feed the ducks out in the cold."
Reasoning of a child some times made sense. Too much sense in this situation for it truly was too cold to go out, but if Obi-Wan was too old for the other things then he was right, he was old enough to go out alone to feed his ducklings…
Jinn thrust his extended arms forwards again as an opened welcome beckoning for his son to jump in them.
"What if I said you were not too old for anything you mentioned. What would you do then?"
Obi-Wan turned and lunged for his father's arms.
" I would jump in your arms like this and I would tell you I needed a big bear hug and tonight at bedtime I *insist *on my bedtime story."
Obi-Wan blushed and looked right into his father's eyes, their faces almost touching because of the closeness of them.
"Then of course I will expect my good night kiss..I mean…maybe… if you still don't think I am too old to be loved……………..
Qui-Gon stood in front of a very plain wooden podium as he conducted the meeting concerning the budget for the next year, at the temple. Suggestions he had told the knights and masters gathered, were welcomed and appreciated. That was what he was doing, addressing a stray question and noting a suggestion, when the outer door to the meeting room swung open with such enormous force that it slammed against the inside wall of the meeting room.
No one could miss the air of anger around Master Dooku as he stormed through the door to the meeting room.
In a less than calm or soft voice the master bellowed to Qui-Gon Jinn.
"Master Jinn I need to see you immediately."
"I am sorry Master Dooku. I am in the middle of a meeting here. Can't it wait?"
"No, it can't and I think you know very well of what I speak of. I think you knew before I of this concocted silliness of Master Yoda for us along with *him* to go on this mission."
Dooku nodded at Obi-Wan with anything less than kindness in his face at having to even acknowledge the child.
Master Riddon stood up and went to Master Jinn's side.
"I will be glad to pick up where you leave off. I have been here a long time and know a great deal of this. I can at least stall until your meeting with Master Dooku is over."
Qui-Gon thanked Master Riddon, for he really did appreciate the master helping out. He would have to see to Dooku before he became even more irate in front of every master and knight assembled there.
Obi-Wan did not miss a word that was said. He certainly didn't miss the anger which rolled off his grandfather. He found he was scared again but not for himself, for his father. He jumped out of his chair and started to follow the two masters out into the hall.
He was quickly met by a sharp tug on his arm that made him freeze in his tracks.
Qui-Gon had not seen the action of violence directed at the child for he was ahead of them. He did however hear the reprimand that followed the quick jerk of Obi-Wan's arm.
"No one needs you to follow your father like a little puppy. Now go on your way."
Qui-Gon turned when he heard the arguing just in time as the last sentence came out of Dooku's mouth. There he saw the man, his former master shaking his son violently by the arm. A little moan echoed through the hall. With one step, one very large step, the "table turned" quickly and it was Master Qui-Gon Jinn who had Dooku's arm as he pulled him away from Obi-Wan with a mighty jerk. His right hand held the master at bay away from his son, after Dooku immediately released his hold on Obi-Wan. Master Jinn's left hand was balled up in a fist that came threateningly close to landing a vicious blow to the man's face. That was his immediate desire, before the force gently nudged him and brought the big master back to common sanity; back to his Jedi decorum and quelled his violent desires..
His words came out harsher than he planned to his son with a command to go to his room and remain there until he came for him.
Obi-Wan searched his mind for why is father would be angry at him. He supposed it was because he followed the masters and he was not to do so. He erroneously thought Qui-Gon was as angry with him as he was with his grandfather.
Obi-Wan did not dare look back at the two arguing Jedi. He was afraid too. He took off down the hall and then up the steps to his room. Smitten by the abrupt dismissal of his father, he forgot about the promised surprise of tomorrow. Had he remembered he probably would have been to stubborn to admit he still wanted it. For Obi-Wan Kenobi was cut from the same fabric as his father when it came to being stubborn, obstinate, and just downright pigheaded at times.
Master Jinn waited until Obi-Wan was out of sight and hearing before he blasted Master Dooku.
"Just what do you think gives you the right to manhandle my padawan, my son?"
"Rights as a grandfather where your son is concerned and rights as the master in charge of our mission as it pertains to the padawan in him."
"The master in charge does not assume to take control of some other master's apprentice during the mission unless something necessitates it for the welfare of that mission. Besides we haven't even left yet."
A smirk came over Dooku and then gentle laughter just above hearing came from the older master.
"Just getting in practice. I am aware that you control your apprentice unless I find something that would demand I take over his guidance. Shame it would be if the child actually had to perform at a Jedi apprentice level with consequences matching those of other apprentices who don't' do what they are told on a mission. I will be ever alert to Obi-Wan's behavior on this mission, Qui-Gon. I just may find a reason to control Obi-Wan myself, even though this is only ceremonial affair. One never knows what might come up on a mission do we? Keep a very good eye on your apprentice and son, Master Jinn. One step out of line, one misspoken word, or even a minute too late for a meal, when presumes his position as your son, I can do nothing about.... However if I notice him make one of those errors, ever how small and seemingly trivial as an apprentice, I will see to it personally that he is disciplined harshly for it. I assure you Qui-Gon, this mission for Obi-Wan will not be an easy or enjoyable one. At least I don't foresee him enjoying taking any orders from me."
Master Dooku left an irate Master Jinn standing alone in the hall with thoughts of possibly killing the man; an exaggeration but not by much. Jinn's first inclination was to contact Yoda with this bit of news. Dooku wanted to in some way control his son. Any way would do evidently. //What would be the use of contacting Yoda? I still have to abide by the Jedi rules and let him run the mission and possibly take control of my apprentice. I think Dooku would like nothing better than to make up a reason for gaining control of Obi-Wan; to force him in some way to stay by his side instead of mine. This is one time I would like to tell the Jedi council to take their Jedi ideologies *stick them where the sun doesn't shine*. Don't suppose that would endear me to any of the council, especially Yoda.//
Qui-Gon gained control of his emotions and went back to the meeting. It was almost two hours before he got a chance to fill Obi-Wan in on what was going on.
He told the little boy of his surprise which Obi-Wan was not happy about. Going on a mission with his grandfather commandeering that mission was the last thing he wanted to do. Of course he didn't want his dad to go with Dooku without him. What a little one like him could do was beyond the realm of imagination. But he would go with his dad.
Jinn explained to Obi that he was not angry with him over the situation earlier. It was his grandmfather, Jinn told Obi, that distressed the Jedi master so. He did allude to the fact that Obi-Wan would have to act more mature on this mission. That hurt the little padawan because he felt his father was in some way demoralizing him for being a child.
Things between father and son were straightened out, though not completely. Obi-Wan still suffered from a bruised ego over his father's opinion that he acted younger than his years.
Jinn also felt the need to straighten Master Dooku out on a few things. He would only allow the man to go so far. If it meant he took Obi-Wan out of the apprentice program to see abuse was not done to him by Dooku he would do it. Qui-Gon found Master Dooku in deep meditation or it seemed that way.
"Come in Master Jinn I thought I would see you before last-meal was served. I suppose you want to discuss our mission."
"Not really, I want to discuss this ridiculous idea of yours that you can produce a perfect padawan out of my son during a two week mission. I know you and I think I know what you have planned. I don't like it one bit Master Dooku. I want you to leave my son alone."
"Do you forget Master Jinn, he is my grandson and I will be the master in charge on the mission. As your son I can do nothing to Obi-Wan for any kind of misbehavior, but as your apprentice I can very much involve myself if I see him out of line in any way during his tenure as apprentice to you on this mission."
"Why are doing this Master Dooku? He is but a child, not yet ready for complete apprenticeship yet."
"Well if you felt him not ready, you and Master Yoda should not have pushed him into his apprenticeship so soon. I know of the bond the child is so confused over that he can not reopen it."
You don't need to concern yourself about it. He will manage his shields later when he is able to grasp the help of the force better."
Yes, of course. Face it Jinn, he is a wimp and cry-baby. He reminds me of his mother so much, I can't stand to look him sometimes."
"Then why concern yourself with him if you can't stand to be around him?"
"You and your abiding Jedi realisms. Face it Jinn he won't make it to knighthood. He's weak."
"Oh and we both know how you despise weakness don't we? I have no fear of his future abilities to reach knighthood or in his ever willing desire to steer clear of dark side. As far as your concern about my Jedi loyalty it is always there and never ending. Now you know of where my loyalties lie Master Dooku, always with the Jedi. Can I be sure that is where yours are? Or is there something else behind your drive toward success? Are your interests and desires still of the light or have you been tempted and have another driving force behind you? "
"Be. Very. Careful. of what you say to me. I am still high enough in the order that someone will listen to me, if I go before the council. I am not without friends there although they might not be as powerful as Mace or Master Yoda, they still sit on the council. Too suggest that I walk on the dark side now is ludicrous and I resent it. We should at least try to be civil to each other. After all, where is the idea of that shared family love?"
"I think that family love idea went up in smoke with the ridiculous idea I had that you could be a loving grandfather to my son….."
Had this been a mission that required just his and his master's presence, it would have been so much more fun for the little padawan. He sat in the corner of the assigned set of rooms for the Jedi's visit and mulled over the desperate shape he was in. Obi-Wan was far from being pleased about this mission. He had to act grown-up, whatever that meant and he had to be on his best behavior. Now that in its self was a hard thing for a little boy of eight, not trained through his early years in the Jedi crèche. Had he been, he was sure he would act older and seem wiser but….
Obi-Wan Kenobi was a miserable eight-year old training not in the ways of the Jedi as Master Dooku said he wanted, Obi was training to maintain a mantle of deceit and nothing more. He didn't have the time to become a Jedi apprentice. No matter what his grandfather thought it couldn't be accomplished overnight. This was very hard work for the child; being someone he clearly wasn't yet, a Jedi apprentice.. It was equally as hard putting on a façade of being one. The little Jedi wasn't ready for an admission of incompetence at his ability to be an apprentice, so he worked all the harder to mimic one for his father's sake and most of all for his. He certainly didn't want his grandfather, Master Dooku to have any control of him.
Obi-Wan made a lame attempt at meditation. It was hard to stay focused though, with thought of the possibility of failing his master and father during the mission. He reached for the force as Master Jinn taught him, he just couldn't get a grasp on it. He wanted the force to help him regain his bond with his father. He was getting more and more upset over not sharing the intimacy of mind communication with Jinn.
//I did what Master said to do and still nothing.. If only I could lower my shields and allow my master back in. I would accept the bond willingly. It is so much lonelier without our training bond even though my dad is always right with me. Master never said a truer statement than when he said the future within the force was ever elusive. It sure is. I can't even find it.//
Obi-Wan did not realize that he could suffer sides effects from a bond formed but not shared with its counterpart, his master. Qui-Gon himself forgot that the boy could soon start suffering the side effects of a dormant bond. He, however with age and experience could easily ward of the effects, where as Obi-Wan couldn't.
This would only be additional trouble on the mission. The child, not knowing what is going on, might be more than just cranky but belligerent because of the unfamiliar feeling of inner turmoil that an interrupted bond would bring.
Qui-Gon Jinn and Master Dooku entered the larger common room which had two bedrooms adjoining it. Quite a luxurious suite for Jedi who required very little to make them comfortable. Jinn noticed his son appeared to be in meditation, but when he reached out with a tendril of the force, he realized looks could be deceiving.
Obi-Wan might have attempted to reach the force with the solitude of meditation, but now he only knelt with his head down waiting to be dismissed from his obligatory meditative state.
Obi felt a gentle hand on his shoulder and heard a equally gentle command from his father, no his master, that he could get up now. He fought hard to remember that Master Dooku explicitly mentioned Obi-Wan was not to call Qui-Gon dad or father while on a mission as an apprentice for the Jedi. He was to call him only *Master*.
Master Dooku called it Jedi *Protocol*, but Obi thought it was just another excuse to find a way for him to screw up. Anything would receive a quick reprimand by Dooku. Obi-Wan got the feeling that the man was waiting to pounce on any little mistake he made. That lone thought only fueled the boy's apprehension about this trip outside the temple. He became more miserable and withdrawn with each passing hour.
//Two weeks of this. I have been hear two hours and its killing me. I won't ever make it that long without messing up some way. That's just me. The more I try to do things right, the more I don't.//
The only thing to bring any solace to the child at all was when just now, his master used kind words and a gentle touch to try ease the worry in his son.
Both masters seemed anxious to lose the other. Dooku feigned calls necessary to be made to his satellite temple to make sure things ran smoothly there, then he planned to that the three hours before the large diplomatic reception, to catch up on some sleep. Jinn said the wanted to visit the city and show Obi-Wan around.
Dooku rolled his eyes in obvious contempt for his grandson and excused himself to his bedroom.
Jinn gave Obi-Wan one quick once over to make sure he assumed the customary tradition of the Jedi apprentice appearance
//Yes, robe on, hood up, and shoulders straight, Obi-Wan looks perfect. Now the test, he has to act that way, *perfect*. He certainly could pull off the looks of a Jedi apprentice. Now all he has to do is remember to act accordingly. "Sith" knows I have gone over every little detail with him concerning his mannerisms while on this mission.//
They had only made it a few blocks toward the city when Obi-Wan started with the veracity of either a confused or temperamental child. Qui-Gon found it hard to differentiate the two at this point, especially when it came to his *imp*.
"Am I far enough away, Master? Did you say two steps or three to your left? Should they be long stretched out steps or teeny-tiny, weenie-beanie small steps behind and then to your left? Can I keep my head up or should I lower it like some * ZEN* monk on a isolated mountain in a temple of silence."
//Where did he pull that one from, out of thin air?//
Qui-Gon only shut his eyes for a moment, drew from the force the well needed extra calming, and answered one by the one the questions Obi-Wan rattled off to him.
"It is three steps back and one to the left of me. No, Obi-Wan it is not necessary to take either teeny-tiny, weenie-beanie, small steps or a long stretched-out ones, a normal size step will suffice. Oh, and Obi-Wan you don't have to walk with your head hung down like some silent monk, you may look up or down, your choice my little one. It would be good if you could see where you are going."
There, satisfied he answered all the last set of questions, the master went back to his thoughts of the secret mission he was on.
He shook his head and mumbled something incomprehensible under his breath and hastened his pace to get to the city. Qui-Gon wanted to see if he could find out anything about the missing children and he had to do it without Obi-Wan gaining knowledge of what he was doing.
//Sure, that will happen!!! //
A touch of sarcasm, even though the words were thought and not spoken.
On and on went the questions as they walked. Qui-Gon thought it would never stop. He understood the child's desire to do the best he could, //but how can he come up with so many nonsensical questions,// thought the Jedi master.
Obi-Wan's insistent nagging had finally riled the master to a boiling point. While he had no desire to be overly corrective of his son, he did feel the need to halt the continual onslaught of questions that he felt had gone on long enough.
Master Jinn stopped dead in his tracks. It was indeed a good thing that Obi-Wan had done as he was told and walked to the left of his master, for otherwise he would have run over him. Evidently Obi-Wan chose the option of lowering his head as he referred to the monk doing and wasn't watching where he was going. Only after he passed his master did he know Qui-Gon had even stopped.
Qui-Gon turned to face Obi-Wan, who now stood to his side because he hadn't paid attention to what Jinn was doing.
"Oh excuse me..Da…I mean master. Why did we stop in the middle of nowhere? Is there something wrong.?"
"Another question for me? Do you realize that is all you have done since we left our dwelling, is come up with some of the most ridiculous questions someone could think of. And then actually ask them. Just how much forethought did it take to do come up with some of them?"
Obi-Wan thought for a second. He could not think of one "ridiculous" question he asked. All of them, too him, were very necessary if he was to do the best he could. He took it as a personal insult to himself for his father to think his questions were ridiculous, //and what does he mean by *forethought*?//
"I thought all my questions were very necessary to insure I did everything right. If you think they were "stupid", I just won't ask any more. Maybe that way I can get into trouble when Master Dooku sees me make a "stupid mistake" because I didn't ask the "right stupid question". How's that?"
"*That* sounds like you are being rude to me young man and we will discuss this later. We have some business to attend too, so let's not dally here in "the middle nowhere", as you call it."
Interest piqued in the little one when he heard his master speak of business. There was to be no business here, just a wedding to attend. Obi-Wan caught Jinn's spoken misnomer quickly.
"What business Da…I mean Master? I thought we are only here for a wedding an nothing more."
It was only then that Qui-Gon realized he had already almost let his true reason for being here out to Obi-Wan.
He tried to sidetrack the question at first.
"That was the second time you almost called me father. Don't let Master Dooku hear you do that. It might be enough reason to get him started about your less-than-conquered Jedi abilities."
Jinn hated to resort to using fear on Obi-Wan to keep his mind off what he said, but he couldn't let the child know of his other mission. It just was not safe to do so.
Worry came back to the little boy just as he was able to breathe a little easier being away from his cruel grandfather.
"Oh alright, I will try to do better. No, I mean I will do better. Master Yoda told me once there is no "try", although I think he might be wrong, I sure won't be the one to tell him that."
Jinn turned to look at his son one more time. The dark brown Jedi robe a bit too long in the sleeves, his face ruddy by the harsh wind, and glass-glazed indigo eyes, also created by the sting of the strong continuous wind, made the master smile.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi, I think the force sent you to me to test my endurance and patience."
A look of sadness and in the words of a child; "If the *force* had its hand in it at all, I was sent to you cause my momma died and nothing more."
Just as quickly as it came, the moment of sadness retreated to allow Obi-Wan to continue what he thought was his rational reasoning with his master.
"Besides Master, I haven't done anything a normal kid wouldn't do. You have to ask questions if you want to know the answers. I want the answers to every question, because I want to learn *everything* there is to know!!!!!!!!!….
//"I want the answers to every question, because I want to learn *everything* there is to know!!!!!!!!!…."//
Obi-Wan's words played back through Jinn's mind over and over. If nothing else the master thought Obi-Wan was at least ambitious in his desire to learn and grow with what he learned. Finally chilled to the bone, Master and mini apprentice in tow, reached their destination.
//Nothing impressive looking about this old run-down café. I hope we are hear to see someone. I don't think I want to chance the possibility of food poisoning from eating here. Nah.. Master never like to eat out. Although if we found a good place for burger and fires, I would not object to it. //
Obi listened to his stomach growl and hoped that it was not an error in Jedi training to let his hunger pains release their anger not into the force, but straight in his gut and out to his ears.
He laughed at his little mental joke to himself. He immediately set his joking aside, to plaster his Jedi face and thoughts back in place. He would hate to disappoint his master or worse yet have the people he visited complain to the head master of this mission which was of course. //Good ole Grandpa!!!// Hard as he tried, Obi-Wan could not keep humor out of his mischievous mind. It was the only thing that helped unseat the worry he had about getting through the mission with Dooku watching every little move he made in hopes of a mistake; some error on Obi-Wan's part that would allow Dooku's intervention Qui-Gon's tutelage of the little padawan.
Master Jinn made his apprentice sit at a table in the far corner while he went to the counter and got Obi-Wan a piping hot cup of hot chocolate and himself a cup of tea. After delivering Obi-Wan's drink to him, he gave Obi-Wan a gave stern but friendly command to stay where he was. Jinn went back to the counter and waited for someone. Or so Obi-Wan supposed. After maybe five minutes a blue hue of a species barely transparent to the human eye walked in the cantina/café and went directly to his master. Obi knew this was be who his dad waited on but why?
//We aren't on a mission that's real. I mean, it's a wedding party.// Obi-Wan watched with interest until that nagging nervous feeling, the child had recently acquired out of nowhere, hit him again.
//It's probably a friend of my master's,// pleased with himself by his reference to his father as master, although unspoken. //He won't care if I go over there now. He probably wanted me to rest and get warm and that is why he put me over here.// Obi-Wan looked up saw a heat vent and reasoned, but he really didn't care if he was correct, that Master put him there because of the overhead heat vent afforded.
Obi-Wan got up very carefully, without even noisily scrapping the chair legs on the floor and sauntered ever so slowly over to his master. Jinn, deep in conversation, did not take the time to be alert to the things around him. He didn't anticipate an attack and though he shouldn't have let his guard down, ever how peaceful the mission seemed to be, he did.
Obi-Wan managed to reach his father without being noticed and even unintentionally eavesdrop on Qui-Gon and mysterious translucent man of blue.
Obi-Wan's eyes doubled in size with astonishment over what he had just heard, but probably wasn't suppose too. He started to back away from his master. He knew instantly when he *heard* what he *heard*,it was not meant for his ears to *hear*.
If only the little Jedi had taken the time to turn and go back to his seat without backpedaling, which caused the inability to see where he was going, he might have been able to reach his seat before his master even noticed him. He fell over the chair behind him and Jinn instantly let his eyes drift from the man he spoke with to noise behind him.
Qui-Gon saw a pile of bunched up material of deep rich brown, a Jedi robe laying in a crumpled heap with a very small body under it.. He knew it was Obi, but not by the face of the figure on the floor. It was obscured by the Jedi robe wrapped snugly over Obi-Wan's face when it whipped in the air, as the boy tumbled to the floor.
Once untangling himself from the confines of his robe, Obi-Wan looked up and he watched a shadow darkened the space around him. There, up high above him stood his master, who seemed to be wiping his mouth as if in exasperation over something. In truth Jinn had to hide a smile on his lips from the boy and he put his hand over his mouth.
The smile was quickly withdrawn when Qui-Gon realized the consequence of Obi-Wan's actions. It would be an incredible burden for the child to carry now; the secret of a mission his grandfather was not to know of.
Jinn, for Obi's sake, kept it from him, but now he knew it must be shared with the little one who was unsure the force even existed, let lone to trust in it and carry his secret faithfully.
Obi-Wan could do nothing but try to right himself and wait for the rebuke that would surely follow his disobedience. He placed both hands behind him and pushed himself up. He then dusted off his robe and looked up to a beet-faced master, humiliated by Obi-Wan's clumsiness and most importantly his desire to eavesdrop on a private conversation.
If Obi-Wan was mortified over his fall and getting caught, Jinn was even more mortified than Obi-Wan, for his blatant disregard for his master's command. To disobey an order from a master on a mission, no matter how trivial that mission was, could bring severe censure for his actions.
It was in that second, that blink of an eye, Qui-Gon knew he had to hardened his heart toward this little one before him. No matter how much he loved him, he would serve no purpose for him to be lenient with his son with his apprentice. In fact it might be more harmful to let Obi-Wan slide this time; not as his son but as his apprentice.
Jinn would have to erect a difference set of shields. Not themental shields all Jedi had and Obi-Wan possessed, but lacked the ability to use. The shileds that would put up would be around his heart to keep his son's misery from tearing his heart apart when he had to do something like this; severely reprimand the child, not as his son but as his padawan for his actions.
Life as a Jedi in general was hard, a Jedi master with an apprentice-in-training harder, and a Jedi apprentice had an even harder life. The sooner Obi-Wan realized that, the better off he would be, if he hoped for knighthood.
Jinn himself will have to get a grip on how hard being a Jedi master was, especially to his son. It was so much more intense having your son as your apprentice. There was love there and fear for his welfare. Not that Qui-Gon had not cared deeply for his apprentices or worried about their well being. With Obi it was intensified more dynamic because every feeling was multiplied. His son had a powerful grip on the rugged master's heart.
Master Jinn braced himself for what he had to do. He pointed to his head with a violent motion with his index finger.
A confused Obi-Wan only stood there and watched, then listened.
"Do you have gray matter up in there?" If so, what is it called?"
"That's easy Master, my brain."
Jinn didn't have a look of anger and that went over well with Obi-Wan. He began to think he was not in much trouble after all.
Still without a hint of anger but with a piercing stare, Master Jinn *shot daggers* through his son and apprentice.
"Next time, try using your brain. I thought for a moment you didn't have one. You certainly haven't exhibited any usage of it this day. Now go back to the table where I asked you to stay and let me continue this conversation with my friend over there. We will discuss this later in the privacy…"
Qui-Gon stopped in mid-sentence and thought for a moment, there will be no privacy. However upset with his son or disappointed in his disobeying of him, Jinn would not betray those disappointments to Master Dooku to feed ammo for him to use against Obi-Wan.
"Never mind, we don't have a place of privacy to discuss this because of your grandfather, but I guarantee you, Padawan Kenobi, a very long talk is *promised* you, before this day is over…"
PEACE ewen