A/N: Sorry for posting in such short bits, but I put this up as time allows. Also, I'll likely lower the rating soon as anything that would require the 'R' I'll post as a sequel (if I ever get that far.)

Thanks to Kaime and Tin Tin for continuing to let me know they're still around.

LuvObi: Thanks for your comments, they really meant a lot to me. I do plan to delve a bit deeper into Obi and Qui, but it will be another post or two.

Chapter 4

Obi- Wan Kenobi squinted to better view the transport he was about to board. To his dismay, he found it to be one of the smaller, sleeker models that the Republic had to offer. As a padawan, he would have been thrilled. As a knight, it made no difference- except this time he was hoping for a bulk cruiser- something large enough for him to sucessfully hide himself in.

He hesitated for a brief moment befor making his ascent up the ramp. He had expertly avoided his former master for the better part of seven years, and he knew that he would have little chance of doing so here. But it was either face Qui-Gon Jinn or the wrath of the Jedi council, and he reasoned that Qui-Gon was far more likely to leave him be once the mission was completed.

His only hope was that the tall master would view him as any other Jedi knight assigned to him and not the burdensome padawan of his past. Qui-Gon Jinn, he thought to himself, Seven years and I'm still worrying about his opinion.

The young knight straightened his posture as he approached Qui-Gon Jinn and Anakin Skywalker at the top of the ramp and shook off the pain that accompanied the movement. Now was not the time to appear weak.

He stopped in front of the pair and gave a polite formal bow, "Master Jinn and Padawan Skywalker," he said, "it is my honor to be of assistance to you on
this assignment."

"Obi-Wan," Qui replied simply with a nod, but his piercing blue eyes were fixed intensly on the younger man as if searching for something.

Obi-Wan waited for the towering Jedi to stand aside and allow him clear entrance into the ship, but Qui-Gon simply stood there... staring, unaware that he was blocking the knight's path. Obi-Wan simply stood for several seconds under the scrutiny, but grew more uncomfortable with each passing moment.

"If you'll excuse me," he finally spoke up when he could bear no more, "I would like to look over the mission reports one more time".

"Of course," Qui-Gon said a bit more hurriedly than he intended as he realized for the first time that he was blocking his former student's path. Qui-Gon quickly stepped aside to allow Obi-Wan clear entry into the transport, and watched as the man quickly made way for his quarters.

The years seemed to have changed Obi-Wan very little. The braid was long gone and the spikes had grown out into copper waves that crept down his neck in the back and hung quite deliberatly in the eyes in front as if to hide anything they might unwillingly reveal. Qui-Gon wasn't sure if he was disappointed that those beautiful blue-green eyes were partiallyhidden from view, or if he was grateful that he didn't have to see the pain locked behind a mask of steely determination that he was sure he would find if they weren't.

The Jedi Master decided that he would mediatate on that. It was, after all,at least going to seem like a long trip.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

The trio of Jedi arrived on the planet of Naboo under the cover of nightfall, and all were momentarily relieved to be off of the small transport and in the fresh air. It had been an awkwardly quiet and uncomfortable trip, but now that there was a mission to accomplish the three easily settled into routine professionalism.

After a quick scouting of the area, the Jedi regrouped near the waterfall to figure on their best course of action. The palace lie just beyond a pair of wrought iron gates held in place by two expertly crafted stone walls. A group of battle droids were just inside the gate in a seemingly aimless patrol of the palace grounds.

"What's your assessment?" Qui-Gon asked turning his head towards Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan pursed his lips briefly for a moment, unsure if he was being grilled like a padawan or simply being asked for his insight as a knight. He decided to let his calmer emotions prevail for the moment. "Well," he started, "they're either not expecting us , or they're not at all serious about getting to the Senator. Only a few scattered battle droids. It reeks of distraction."

"I haven't sensed any other threats," Anakin offered.

"Nor have I," Qui-Gon agreed. "But it does seem a bit odd. Stay sharp."

"She's likely securing herself in the throne room. No time like the present," Anakin urged as the three quickly made their way towards the gate.

The Jedi were crouching behind the stone walls and readying their sabers when Obi-Wan suddenly held up a hand and whispered, "Wait." Without further explanation the young man scaled the wall and quietly slipped out of sight.

Anakin looked quizzically at Qui-Gon who could only shrug his shoulders in response.

Impatient and overeager to prove his skills to his master, Anakin leaped over the gate in a one fluid, Force enhanced move- and was promptly greeted by the blaster fire of the dozen or so battle droids within.

Qui-Gon Jinn was behind his impulsive padawan in a flash, but was too late. Demonstrating speed and skill seen only among the very best of the Jedi Order, Anakin already had disposed of the droids and now stood triumphantly in the midst of their smoking ruins.

The Jedi master distantly noted that he should reprimand the boy for jumping ahead without permission but was temporarily stunned silent by the swordsmanship the youth had just displayed. With each passing day Anakin seemed to show more and more why he was the child of prophecy.

Sensing his master's deep swell of pride, Anakin allowed a small smile to creep onto his youthful features. His grin, however, was short-lived as from somewhere above, Obi-Wan Kenobi dove and took the boy to the ground- a split second before a blaster shot rang out. The bolt missed it's intended target and instead caught the knight in the back of his right shoulder.

Anakin, initially unaware of the circumstances, kicked out from under Kenobi and began to swear at him until he took note of the man's burned shoulder and thought better of it.

On the upper ledge of the palace Qui-Gon was already engaging the would-be assassin. He blocked several shots and easily closed the distance between himself and the assailant, but as soon as Qui-Gon managed to get within arms reach him, the mysterious assassin simply stepped off the ledge and rocketed away.

The Jedi Master let out a sigh of frustration before powering down his weapon. "Meet me in th throne room," he called down before ducking into a window and making his way through the palace.

"He wants us to meet him in the throne room," Anakin needlessly repeated.

"Right," came Obi-wan's strained reply as he gauged the range of comfortable motion his newly injured shoulder would allow. "For the sake of future reference, Padawan Skywalker, when I tell you to wait it's generally for a reason," he growled."

"In case you didn't notice, you are not my master," Anakin shot back.

"Regardless, I outrank you, and you will not blatantly disregard my lead unless specifically instructed to do so by your master. Understood?"

Anakin glowered at the man in response. Qui-Gon Jinn was his savior, and the youth respected the man as such- most of the time. But he did leave the slave master's of Tatooine behind in order to defer to every Jedi in the Temple, and he deeply resented being chastised by a mere knight who appeared to be little older than he was.

The padawan crossed his arms and murmured, "You know if it were up to Master Jinn you wouldn't even be a knight."

This time it was Obi-Wan who could only glower in anger. "Ultimately it wasn't his decision," he returned cooly while making a conscious effort to try to quell the rage that threatened to burn within. The knight then turned on his heel and called, "C'mon. We're wasting time."