A/N: I messed up when I first put this up and cut the first Chapter in half, but it's fixed now. Thank you to Kenobisaqt and TinTin for letting me know that they read.
Chapter 2
Power. Pure and simple.
Anakin Skywalker stood tall behind his master in the center of the Jedi Council chambers while awaiting their next assignment.
He eyed his mentor of the past seven years appreciatively and smiled to himself. Few beings in the galaxy could radiate raw power like Qui-Gon Jinn. Impressively tall, powerfully built, and capable of leveling even the most pompous politician (and even some Jedi Council members) with one look from his piercing blue eyes- it was obvious from appearance alone that Jinn was someone you didn't want to tangle with.
At this moment, Qui-Gon Jinn's powerful gaze was focused squarely on the twelve member of the council. As was the custom, the Council members kept the master/padawan pair waiting several minutes before addressing them. The Council would say that it as to allow the duo some time to 'center' themselves, but Anakin believed the real reason was that the high ranking masters enjoyed watching others sweat before their presence.
Mace Windu was the first to speak, (right in the nick of time Anakin thought for if he had to wait in silence much longer he was certain that he would have heaved a huge sigh of frustration).
"As I'm sure you are aware," Mace began, "there have been attempts on the lives of several Senate members recently."
Qui-Gon swallowed before answering, a subtle indication that for some reason Mace's statement had already struck a nerve. "We are aware," he answered simply.
"The latest threat seems to be aimed at Senator Amidala of Naboo," Mace continued. "We're sending you and you're apprentice to Naboo first thing in the morning. You are to escort the Senator to an as of yet undisclosed location until we are confident the threat has passed."
"With all due respect," Qui-Gon countered, "I find it very difficult to believe that Amidala has asked for protection."
"You're correct. Her protection is at the behest of Chancellor Palpatine, and I'll have you know that he requested you and Padawan Skywalker specifically for the assignment. You should consider it a great honor to be trusted so," Mace replied.
Qui-Gon had said something in response, but all words were lost on Anakin Skywalker by now. His mind wandering to the lush planet of Naboo and it's beautiful Senator. From the moment he laid on her all those years ago, she had been in his every dream. Now they would be reunited- only this time he was no child.
Even better was the fact that he had been requested by the Supreme Chancellor himself. Surely Padme would be impressed by the faith that the highest ranking official in the Republic placed in him and his master. He was beginning to think that he couldn't have dreamed of a better assignment when Qui-Gon's voice brought him slowly back to reality.
"Very well, masters. My padawan and I will pack at once," Qui-Gon said turning on his heel to leave.
He was halted by Master Yoda. "Dismiss you, we did not."
Qui-Gon turned back around to face the Council and Mace continued, "We thought you should know that we'll be sending Obi-Wan with you."
The Jedi Master tried to hide his shock under a mask of neutrality, but his padawan didn't fare as well, and from behind him Qui-Gon heard the boy yell a surprised and frustrated, "What?"
The twelve members of the council all glanced at one another, their disapproval of Anakin's behavior evident on their faces.
Qui-Gon Jinn, above all things, was a masterful negotiator. He recovered from his shock quickly and threw a warning glance over his shoulder. He straightened to his full height and immediately began smoothing over the situation.
"Forgive the rudeness of my padawan's outburst, but I can't help but agree with his sentiment. There is no way that Knight Kenobi could be fit for duty right now."
Qui-Gon raised a suspicious eye towards the group. It was common knowledge that Kenobi had only recently returned from Dantooine and had not returned well. If the Council was willing to send the knight out so soon there was likely a motive or two behind it.
Mace seemed thoughtful for a moment before offering, "He is capable of performing his duties."
Qui-Gon wasn't so sure if he agreed with that assessment, but decided that this was one battle that he would concede. It would allow him to keep a watchful eye on his former apprentice, and, if he was lucky, it might be his best chance of bridging the gap that had formed between them over the past several years.
"Very well, Masters," he said. "If there is nothing else, my padawan and I will take our leave to pack."
The council members nodded their permission and the Qui-Gon exited the chambers with Anakin following closely behind. The apprentice did his best to try to hide his disappointment and frustration at the turn of events during the pair's slow walk back to their shared living quarters. In his mind, extra help on a mission could only mean one thing- the Council didn't trust them enough to handle the situation themselves.
Try as he might, Anakin often found that any attempt to shield his feelings from his very perceptive master was often a futile one. As the duo reached their living space and Qui-Gon calmly palmed open the door, Anakin found that this current attempt was equally pointless.
"You may as well speak freely, Padawan," Qui-Gon said as they entered the common room.
Anakin hesitated for a moment as he debated whether or not it would be prudent to speak freely. He worked his jaw back in forth in thought before finally deciding to give up all pretense and bursting, "I don't understand why the Council doesn't believe that we can handle this on our own! Don't they have any faith in us by now?"
Qui-Gon plopped in the room's oversized chair and sighed. He didn't like the thought of being watched any more than Anakin did, but the Council was being quiet as to the reasoning behind their decision and complaining about it wasn't going to provide any answers.
The Jedi master stroked his beard for a moment then reasoned aloud, "There could be any number of reasons behind the council's decision. Do not assume the worst. It's possible they believe enough potential danger exists to warrant the extra help, or they may simply wish to give you the opportunity to observe someone besides your old master here. In any case, you can be certain that they won't tell us what they're thinking."
"In any case I can be sure that they could have picked someone better," Anakin mumbled under his breath before flopping on the sleep couch.
Qui-Gon turned to fully face his apprentice and noted the young man's sour expression. He sought out the padawan's eyes and replied softly, "No, Ani. I assure you that there's no one better."
"Nobody better at near death experiences," he muttered before continuing, "They say he's clairvoyant and all in tune with the Force. I say he's been close to becoming one with it so many times, that he got no choice but to know it's will."
"If the Council truly wants me to learn then they should send one of the more powerful knights- not somebody I'm already ahead of."
Qui-Gon studied the young man for a moment. Anakin still had a great deal childish pride that had to be dealt with, but Qui-Gon was confident that young man would outgrow it so long as he kept a warm and steady hand on the boy. He had the make the young man see that power, as he understood it, was not everything.
"What makes you think that Obi-Wan isn't powerful?" Qui-Gon ventured carefully.
"How about the way he returns from every other mission- like he's just been stampeded by a herd of rabid bantha's? You said it yourself, Master, he's got no business being on his own."
It surprised Qui-Gon a bit to have Anakin throw his own words at him seven years after the fact, but he surmised that it shouldn't have. Even as a child Anakin was very perceptive, and apparently he had one hell of a memory a well.
"That was a long time ago, Ani, and I'm not proud what I said."
"It doesn't make it any less true," Anakin responded. "He is weak. I promise you, Master, I will be strong."
Qui-Gon leaned back in his seat and carefully considered his words. When he finally spoke, it was in a slow, soft voice. "Ani, I need you to listen to what I'm about to say very carefully and I beg you never to forget it. You are more innately gifted than any Jedi that I have ever seen. I have no doubt you could be the best of us all, but you must understand that the Force is about give and take- not dominance."
"If you insist on bending the Force to your will in the name of power and glory, the Dark Side will ultimately bend you to its will- enslaving you more completely than you ever were on Tatooine. But- if you give of yourself freely to the Force, the Light will embrace you and allow you to call upon it well beyond the boundaries of your natural abilities."
Anakin gave his master a quizzical look as though the older man had just completely changed the subject on him.
"My point," Qui-Gon explained, "is that Obi-Wan gives himself completely over to the Force. And what is weakness and what is strength is a matter of perspective."
Anakin sullenly cast his eyes to the floor as he was certain that he had just been reprimanded in a round about way. It served as a reminder that no despite how far he had come that many, his master included, still believed that he had much to learn.
Sensing the downward shift in his student's mood, Qui-Gon thought it a good moment to change the topic of conversation. "Enough about the mission. Let's focus on the present. It is my understanding that you have reached a bit of a milestone today?" he prompted.
The padawan beamed with delight. "I'm seventeen- and officially a senior padawan now."
"I see," Qui said in a mock serious tone. The large Jedi then dramatically fumbled through the folds of his cloak before producing a small rectangular bow and handing it to the youth.
"I suppose that means that you're old enough to appreciate something like this," he said with a wink.
Anakin sat up straight and was shocked silent. As a slave on Tatooine, he and his mother lived with the barest of necessities- gifts were a luxury that they simply couldn't consider even if they wanted to. And though his needs as a Jedi were always promptly met, personal possessions beyond what was absolutely essential were highly discouraged , therefore gifts, while not unheard of, were rare and unusual.
Slowly, almost reverently, Anakin took the proffered bow from his master's hand. "I don't know what to say," he stammered slightly.
Qui-Gon gave a deep, delighted chuckle He cherished the moments when he could revert Anakin back to that endearing little boy he had first met. "You could start by opening it," he said.
Quickly trading reverence for child-like enthusiasm, Anakin ripped open the box and found himself once again speechless as he stared open-mouthed at the small dagger inside- it's handle carved from an animal tusk that he could not immediately identify.
"Ancient warriors used blades such as these quite often," Qui-Gon explained, "and while we are largely negotiators and keepers of the peace, there will always be a bit of warrior in Jedi like us," he concluded with a wry grin.
Anakin, finally finding his voice, replied, "Thank you, Master." then tucked the old weapon into his boot.
"You're welcome."