Thanks to my readers.

Shanobi You're just so sweet. Thank you. ewan's girl About time someone spoke up to him, huh? Obiwanfan Yeah, I've never been much of a summary writer. I leave everything pretty vague. Glad you gave it a chance! Athena Leigh Double confrontation's the perfect wording…but wait, there could be more….

Fifteen: Too Much

I remain motionless for a moment, mystified.

Talk? Talk about what?

Then a stone is thrown into the already rippling waters of my belly, and my eyes seal once more.

T'hle'a.

Damn her for making me experience this useless, pointless, unearned guilt, to dread the sight of a friend.

"Come in," I say, clearing my throat when I hear my strangled voice.

He steps inside. His usually smooth face is carved mahogany, somber.

"Is something wrong?"

Mace looks at me with grim solemnity. His eyes are polished obsidian stone, glinting at the edges, but completely still at the core.

I've known him for the span of my life, been at his side through taxing trials and out-of-hand pranks, when he ascended to Council status and urged me to join him.

I can tell when he's troubled.

And I know when something's wrong.

"That's what I've been attempting to ascertain, Qui-Gon." He sits in the armchair, leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees and tenting his fingers. "Master T'hle'a spoke me with earlier today."

I sigh and cross my arms.

"She communicated to me that there may be a problem concerning your apprentice…Obi-Wan."

"Yes, she approached me as well. And I found absolutely no merit in what she had to say." I expect my voice to crackle, but it's strong, resolved.

Because I know what the truth is. I know what's at stake if my attention were to waver.

I know what I was a breath away from losing.

What I can never lose again.

"I suppose I can't argue with you…not yet. I've only heard her side.

"And she seems to believe that Obi-Wan has undergone significant changes since his return to the Temple. Now that in itself isn't so unusual." His gaze softens. "I know that he was away for a long while and his separation was not--a pleasant one. A temporary withdrawal from his normal activities is understandable, while he's recuperating and readjusting."

"And that's what he's doing, Mace."

"Perhaps." He wipes at his forehead. "But for this amount of time? According to T'hle'a..."

gods I'm tired of hearing about HER…

"…He's been very quiet. And his social circle has shrunk down to, well…you."

My eyes fall to the floor. "There's much training to be made up for. I don't want him to be behind."

"Obi-Wan's a bright young man, Qui-Gon. One of the most gifted in the Order. I don't doubt that he's perfectly able to recover in his training, especially since he's well ahead his age mates in most areas."

Frustration begins to needle my skin. "What exactly is the problem here? That my Padawan isn't interactive enough to suit Master T'hle'a and the Council? He was alone, in a hostile environment, for seven months. Is it so strange that now he would choose to stay here, with me, where he's safe?"

His brow furrows. "Maybe not. But I would think that his Master would recognize such unhealthy behavior and try to discourage it."

Unhealthy? "I don't see what's unhealthy about this, Mace. He's safe where he is."

"He may be safe, Qui-Gon, but he's also isolated."

I want to stop him, to tell him that Obi-Wan's not isolated, that he can't be cut off from everyone when he's with me, when he's with me, and neither of us are alone…But that's not what escapes my mouth. "He's safe." I whisper, my chin sitting on the steeple of my fingers. "After all that time, that horrific time…He's safe."

"But is he happy?" Mace asks gently, watching me.

I can hear Obi-Wan's voice, exhausted, in my head, wondering if we could walk through the Gardens…And I remember my instantaneous reaction…

Isolated?

Unhappy?

"Qui-Gon, I trust that you want what's best for your apprentice. But the trauma of his kidnapping might've…altered your perceptions of what is best for him. That's what the Council is concerned about. And that's why I've scheduled a meeting with Master Meelon for you tomorrow."

"A psychiatrist, Mace?" I balk, unable to accept the irrational notion. "You want me to go to a psychiatrist because I'm trying to protect my apprentice?"

He exhales. "You know that's not our motive." Now he stands, walking toward the door. "You're to be at Meelon's office at eleventh chime. That's an order."

I'm having difficulty putting one foot in front of the other, the cogs in my mind jamming under the stress. "That-That won't work. I already have plans for kata practice with Obi-Wan."

"I can take over." He replies easily. "I've taught your apprentice since before he was your apprentice, after all."

There's a coolness to his voice that leaves me fired rather than chilled. "This is a mistake, Mace. You want me to sacrifice the well-being of Obi-Wan, and you should know that's something I will refuse to do. Whether it's an order or not."

"Obi-Wan will be alright if you're occupied for an hour, my friend. I think it would be far worse on him to know that his Master has been censured." He looks lastingly at me, dead serious. "Maybe this will help you, Qui-Gon."

I feel my jaw setting. "And how do you figure that ?"

His skin smoothes out again. "Because you just may discover that another, the one whose well-being you're so focused on preserving, is the one making all the sacrifices."

A boulder solidifies in my throat. I can only stand as he exits the apartment, leaving a cold staleness in the air…and too much on my mind.