Sorry about letting this slip! blushes I forgot that I had posted this on this site…I'm soooo sorry about letting this fall so behind. I've actually finished this on the other board. I'll post the chapters daily so folks can catch up with it then. Once again I most humbly apologize!

Qui-Gon opened his eyes and turned his head toward the small window in his room. He had the blinds slightly open in order to catch the light from the sun. He noticed that it was just starting to lighten on the horizon. Another morning has arrived… His thought drifted as yesterday's events resurfaced in his mind. I hope enough time has passed for him to cool off. I know I must have patience…but sometimes it is so hard with him. Sighing he turned his head and looked up at the ceiling. I must focus on the here and now not on my anxieties. He reminded himself as he sighed once more.

Getting up out of bed, he turned his alarm off. He was always up before the alarm would go off, but he set it anyway just in case the day ever came that he happened to sleep in later. That day had yet to come.

Being the morning person that he was he grabbed his robe and put it on over his sleep clothes as he walked barefooted to the balcony. Opening the doors that led outside onto the small walkway, Qui-Gon smiled as he watched the sunrise.

The traffic was flowing to and from the many buildings across the way. Night never truly came to Coruscant and at that thought the smile on his face became a small frown.

There were times when Qui-Gon wished that the Jedi Temple was actually on a different planet. Like Chandrila or even Naboo. He sighed as he thought of those two planets' luscious forests. At least we have the Room of the Thousand Fountains. I don't know what I would do if we didn't.

He bowed his head and sighed once more as he lifted his head back up to see the sun creeping slowly upward. He chuckled as he shook his head causing his long braid to flop over his shoulder onto his chest. I would adapt as any Jedi would. But he knew it would be hard if he did not have that room to fall back on. Being strong in the Living Force was sometimes a burden, but to Qui-Gon it was a gift and he would always treasure that gift.

Qui-Gon turned and closed the doors as he walked back into their sitting room. He knew that his Master would be up shortly and that he would be expecting his caf. Qui-Gon chuckled as he laid his robe over one of the chairs in the kitchenette and began to prepare himself some tea and his Master's caf.

The alarm began to buzz, alerting the Jedi Master of the hour. Dooku grunted and flopped onto his stomach as he tried to block out the ever-persistent sound, but it would not go away. After about fifteen minutes of lying there listening to the annoying sound, he sighed and got up from his bed. Shutting off the alarm he then made his way out of his room and headed for the kitchenette.

Qui-Gon was chuckling as he finally heard the buzzing stop. Guess he had a rough night. Thinking about yesterday ruined his mood as he automatically lifted a hand to his cheek. I will not dwell on what happened. I caused it by accusing him of failing in his instructing. How could I say that? His shoulders slumped as he got his cup and his Master's caf to put on the table. His stomach rumbled as it reminded the young man that it had been quite a while since he last ate. I'll cook something up once Master comes… At that thought the tall Jedi entered the kitchenette.

"I have your caf ready, Master." Qui-Gon stated as he handed the cup to the rough looking Master. Dooku looked as if he had been up all night instead of sleeping. His hair was all in a mess while his face looked rugged.

Qui-Gon wasn't sure whether or not to comment so he decided against it. "Want some eggs Master?" He asked as he brought out a skillet and took eight eggs out of the cooler. Grabbing a bowl he began to break the eggs over the bowl.

"No Padawan, I don't want anything to eat right now the caf will suffice." His voice was slightly hoarse as he eyed the vibrant young man. Shaking his head, he took a drink of his steaming caf. How does he do it? Yoda was the same way. Too many morning people… He sighed and watched his apprentice cook his breakfast. Just last year Dooku would have never let the Padawan near the stove, but Qui-Gon had improved his cooking skills over the time. Well as good as he can get. He chuckled at that and shook his head once more causing several strands of his long hair to drift across his face. He absently pushed the locks back.

Qui-Gon glanced over at his Master when he heard the chuckle. He looked into his Master's eyes and the two shared a smile. Both knew what the humor was referring to.

"I am better Master, at least I don't burn water any more." His blue eyes sparkled, as he stared into the dark brown eyes of his Master, they too reflected mirth.

"Thanks to be Qui-Gon! I am so glad of that too." The Jedi Master chuckled again.

Qui-Gon scraped out the eggs into the bowl he'd used earlier and took a seat at the table across from the tall Jedi.

Dooku shook his head as he watched his apprentice scarf down the food at an incredible rate. Only then did he remember that he had sent Qui-Gon to bed without eating. Scowling as he recalled yesterday's events, he got up from the table and refilled his now empty cup.

"We'll meditate before you go to catch up on what lessons you've missed. Once you finish that up then we'll practice the katas." Dooku said as he retook his seat.

Qui-Gon had finished the eggs and was starting on the toast he had made. Dooku smiled as he spotted six pieces of the bread being placed on a plate.

"Yes Master, I am sure that there will be a lot. End of year exams are fast approaching so I'm positive that there will be several research essays I'll have to do." Qui-Gon said in between bites. His stomach was finally happy and had stopped its continual growling.

"That is right, I've forgotten. Time has been flying by hasn't it?" He sipped from his cup.

Qui-Gon nodded as he swallowed yet another bite of toast. Grabbing his cup of tea he washed the last of the bread down. "Yes Master it sure has. This year has passed all to quickly."

Qui-Gon took his plate and bowl to place them in the sink. He would wash them later after he got his assignments and sparred with his Master.

"Well then, let's go meditate so you can then go to your instructors." Dooku walked to his room to change out of his nightclothes into a fresh tunic.

Qui-Gon returned to his room to dress as well. Once dressed, he grabbed his datapad and headed out into the sitting room to retrieve his robe.

Dooku finished putting on his boots and sat up to eye the robe still lying over the chair by his work desk. He was debating on wearing it or getting a fresh one.

Sighing he got up and opened his closet to fish out a clean robe. "Childish…foolish old man you should get it clean. You are acting like a teenager with raging hormones." He hissed to himself as he pulled the new robe on. Eyeing himself in the small mirror by the nightstand next to his desk, he fixed his hair while frowning. It looks as if I didn't sleep at all. Funny how one's conscious can mess with a person's body. Sighing, he walked out into the sitting room to join Qui-Gon.

"Let's go if you're ready." He said to the Padawan. Upon the young man's nod, Dooku led the way out of their quarters and down the corridor.

The room that they had chosen several years ago to use for meditation was a small twenty by forty-foot with several potted plants in it. The walls had pictures depicting landscape scenery from numerous planets ranging from mountains to green forests.

Dooku's favorite picture was the one that showed a beach and the sea. He had no idea which planet it was from and could care less for the picture always had a calming affect on him. He programmed the room being in use and watched as the door closed.

Qui-Gon went over and knelt on the floor in the center of the room and waited for his Master.

Dooku knelt in front of Qui-Gon and nodded at him. Dooku preferred this position the best, being in front of each other. When Qui-Gon had been younger, he had needed help focusing on his centering. The boy had trouble blocking out his surroundings so Dooku would help him by kneeling in front of him and lightly touch the side of his face with his hands. Using the Force he would help the apprentice focus on his center by channeling through their bond. It took several attempts, but finally Qui-Gon was able to get the hang of it. By the time he was twelve he was able to fully meditate on his own. The two had never shifted from the position that they had taken, so they still meditated in front of each other.

Qui-Gon closed his mind and drew on the Force to achieve his center. The Force quickly complied and embraced the young man in its light.

Dooku watched the calm filter through Qui-Gon and smiled. Taking a deep breath, it then caught in his throat as a familiar scent entered his nose. Flowers mixed with water. He nearly groaned as he slammed his eyes shut. It smells like her perfume. No wonder I like it in here…and I never suspected why. He furrowed his dark eyebrows as he tried to slow his escalating heart rate. What is wrong with me? You would think I was some love sick twit! A sigh escaped him before he could stop it and he tried to attain his own center of calm.

Qui-Gon opened his eyes only a fraction to see what was wrong. He had barely heard the sigh and what he saw surprised him. In all the five years that he had been with his Master, he had never seen him this way during meditation. He was puzzled at the concentration that was straining his aging Master's face. The man's knitted brows had caused crease lines between his eyes. The clenching of his jaw was making the veins on his neck stand out slightly.

Qui-Gon gently tested their bond, but found it closed off. What's wrong? Is it because of yesterday? Qui-Gon hoped it wasn't. He did not want to cause more trouble for his Master. He regretted saying what he had said, but Dooku could be so obstinate at times. Master Yoda is right. We are so much a like.

He watched a little longer until the brows relaxed and the Master entered a somewhat relaxed trance. Seeing his Master achieve his center of calm, Qui-Gon went back to his own meditating.

Once the meditation was over, Qui-Gon bowed to his Master and headed to talk with his instructors.

Dooku watched the young man head toward the Academic section of the Temple. He then took a lift that would take him to the Archives. I need to make sure that she is all right.

He walked around in the library trying to find the Archivist but could not. He went to her office and found it vacant as well.

Spying a Padawan that he knew helped out in the library once in a while; he struggled to remember the lad's name. He's a friend of Qui's I do believe. Ahhh that's right, now I remember. "Padawan Windu?" Dooku walked up to the dark skinned young man who was sorting through datasheets.

The young man looked up and immediately left his seat and bowed to the Master. His black hair was extremely short except for the braid representing his status of being a Padawan.

"Master Dooku, I had not heard of your return." The dark eyes shifted right then left searching for the Master's Padawan.

"Yes, Qui-Gon and I returned yesterday, but he is off getting his assignments from his teachers. Have you seen Madam Nu?" Dooku filled the young man in on Qui-Gon's whereabouts.

"He'll be in for a big surprise. We have four essays due by the end of next week." The Padawan paused as he chuckled and then shook his head. "No Master, I was looking for her as well. There was a message saying something about her taking a few days to settle some issues that popped up. I don't know what they are but they came up suddenly. We were supposed to reorganize the planetary constellation section this week. I guess she and I will work that once she returns to her duty." He bowed as he excused himself in order to return to the stacking of datafiles.

Dooku thanked the boy and left. Issues? Oh Jo…I'm so sorry. He slumped his shoulders as he left to try to find her. He knew of two places that she liked the best in the Temple; the Map Room and the largest waterfall in the Room of the Thousand Fountains. He decided to check the Map Room first.