FIVE

It was a very different Padawan Kenobi that awoke the next morning from the one in evidence the night before. Coming out onto the balcony and seating himself a few paces from his master, Obi-Wan greeted the sunrise with him, face upturned to its first rays of warmth.

Good morning, Master. Obi-Wan barely brushed their bond so as not to completely disturb Qui-Gon's meditation. His master's robe was gathered tightly around him; Force only knew how long before dawn the Jedi Master had been sitting out here.

You're up early. Jinn replied good-naturedly, not yet opening his eyes but remaining as he was, sitting cross-legged on the cold duracrete balcony floor. Obi-Wan paused in his preparations to meditate, opening his eyes and giving his master a sidelong glance.

You *did* say an *early* start. Force knows, when your mind is set to something, there's no sleep for me.

Qui-Gon did open his eyes now as well, emerging from the deepest place in his soul in the Force to regard his Padawan-learner affectionately. There had been no complaint in Obi-Wan's tone, only light teasing, and Qui-Gon had to admit that he was something of a dawn- patroller.

"We have an errand to run before we depart for Bahreen; and I want you to come with me." Qui-Gon rose as he spoke, shaking out his outer robe and stretching the kinks from his neck. "When you're finished with your meditations, come join me."

"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan inclined his head respectfully toward Qui- Gon, the sun setting ginger hair aflame in its early-morning glory. Jinn took the few steps necessary to re-enter the apartments, but paused at the doorway to look back at the young Jedi sitting motionless on the balcony, feeling him slip into the warm river of Force current that swirled all around them, to draw on its peace and tranquility to begin the day. And silently, without speaking through the bond or his voice, he thanked the Force for allowing him yet another day, another chance, another opportunity to make amends. To see a strong Jedi emerge from ashes of past mistakes and to keep a promise made long ago…

Qui-Gon shook off such melancholy thoughts; it wouldn't do to muddle the mission with things like that. Drawing a deep breath and slowly exhaling, he let them go into the Force and walked into their quarters to prepare a morning meal.

Obi-Wan settled comfortably into his meditation, knowing that they were going to be selecting the future of the Order today, a new generation of Jedi that would start out much as he had, a small child unaware of the largeness of the universe around him, receiving a new family and sometimes even new names. These children would shape the destiny and future of the galaxy for the Light someday. The Force would do its own choosing; he and Qui-Gon were merely the messengers of its will.

Sinking further in, feeling its liquid warmth bathe him in peace, he sought out thoughts, images, or hints of what to look for. He imagined the innocent Bahreena children playing in the sun, perhaps one or two could move toys with their thoughts or had quicker reflexes than the other small ones. Babies who projected their Force-signature without even trying just because it was within. The simple joys of the children pervaded his thoughts and he unconsciously smiled on the outside at the feelings they produced.

Suddenly his sense of the Force shifted, became…restless for lack of a better word to describe it, and Obi-Wan mentally leaned into the sensation, listening for what he was about to hear, straining to know what he was to know for this day's work.

What he heard, was a scream.

Qui-Gon very nearly had everything ready and had just turned to see how Obi-Wan was progressing when he heard the most blood-chilling scream he had ever heard in his life, or at least in a very long while. Peace of the Force notwithstanding it nearly made him jump from his skin when he realized it wasn't something he was hearing through the Force or from somewhere within the Temple--he was hearing the anguished voice of his Padawan!

The scream itself was very short; by the time Qui-Gon had run out onto the balcony it was silenced. Obi-Wan however was standing, staring straight ahead and not moving, blinking, and barely breathing as if frozen in time. Qui-Gon was at his side in a breath, placing a hand on his apprentice's shoulder.

"What is it, my Padawan?" He intoned soothingly, intentionally moving and talking in a deliberate manner to calm the apprentice; through the bond he could sense Obi-Wan's heart racing as if he'd seen something terrifying. "Obi-Wan?" Kenobi suddenly snapped his head around to face his master, fixing him with such a heartbroken look that it startled Qui-Gon.

"Master…" Obi-Wan choked out hoarsely, then blinked, coming to himself fully and glancing away, somewhat embarrassed.

Don't be. The Jedi Master assured him. Tell me what you saw, Obi- Wan.

Obi-Wan shook his head mutely, his expression becoming distressed.

"I can't." He spoke aloud, as if making sure his vocal cords still worked. "I don't know what I saw."

Show me then…here. Qui-Gon continued to flood his apprentice with support through their bond, still sensing Obi-Wan's discomfort both emotionally and physically to whatever he'd witnessed in the trance.

I *can't*! Obi-Wan repeated, agitated. I would, Master but…it's…gone.

The bond was as open as it ever was between them; there was no deception in his Padawan's tone, manner or appearance. Whatever had frightened him so badly had simply been withdrawn.

"What can you tell me?" Qui-Gon spoke aloud now, again seeking to soothe with the sound of his voice.

"She…she was beautiful."