Obi-Wan pushed the girl in his closet, covering her up with tunics and robes, "Stay here, he is NOT going to find you," Obi-Wan figured he would wait a few moments and then go out there pretending to have been woken up.

Obi-Wan heard his master stumble through the living room, turning on lights and making his way to the door. He then heard Master Galen's wrathful voice and Qui-Gon's confused one. He heard Qui-Gon say, "Obi-Wan is asleep, Master Galen. What is this about?"

The hateful reply was, "My Padawan is missing, and your snot nosed brat had better tell me where she is!"

Now it was Qui-Gon's turn to be heated, "While you are in my home, I would appreciate it if you would refrain from any use of abusive language. Especially when it is directed towards my apprentice."

Eye to eye, the masters stood. Both refusing to back down. A sleepy voice came from the hallway. "Master, what's going on?"

Wanting to shelter the boy, Qui-Gon responded, "Nothing, Padawan, go back to bed."

But Dern Galen was not so quick to let the boy leave, he sidestepped Qui-Gon and practically lunged at the child, "Not so fast, Apprentice. Where is Ja'lisa? Where is my girl?"

Obi-Wan could not bite back the bitter response, "She is NOT your property!"

If it were not for Qui-Gon Jinn, Dern Galen would have tore Obi-Wan limb for limb. "Now you listen here you sniveling brat, Ja'lisa IS my property. WHERE IS SHE?"

Obi-Wan turned stone faced and silent. Qui-Gon stepped beside his padawan, "Obi-Wan, do you know where Ja'lisa is?"

This only angered Dern even more, "Force Sake, Jinn, you don't ask him to tell you, you MAKE him tell you!" Dern moved towards the frightened boy. He was fully prepared to strip Obi-Wan's mind of any shields, regardless of the repercussions.

That was quite enough for Qui-Gon. He pushed Obi-Wan behind him protectively, then with a tone that would have frozen Tattooine, Qui-Gon stated, "You will go now. I will not have you threaten my apprentice. Now, please leave. Or do I have to help you out?"

Knowing he could not win, Dern Galen made his way to the door. Turning his head he declared, "This is not over yet, Jinn. For you or your brat."

The door slammed, and Obi-Wan collapsed in his Master's arms. Qui-Gon felt the child shaking in his embrace. He also felt the tight shields around the young one's mind. Resting his chin on the top of Obi-Wan's head, he offered love and support.

It took some time to calm Obi-Wan down. The child's heart rate was beating so fast that Qui-Gon was worried that his apprentice would start to hyperventilate. Wrapping his arms tighter around the boy, Qui-Gon asked, "Obi-Wan, do you know where Ja'lisa is?"

The young Jedi stiffened in his master's arms, and he replied, "Master, if I could tell you, I would." He was not exactly lying, but his master's teachings bounced around in his head...Half a lie is still a lie.

Qui-Gon sighed. He could not force Obi-Wan to talk to him, but he could do something about Dern Galen running around the temple like a lunatic. The com unit buzzing in the apartment brought the Jedi Master back to reality. Letting go of his padawan, he crossed the room and answered it, "Jinn here."

"Qui-Gon, you and your apprentice are to report to the council at once," Obi-Wan cringed as he heard the strict tone of Master Windu's voice.

Qui-Gon answered, "We are on our way, Mace. We need to get to the bottom of this situation." The com unit went black and Qui-Gon turned to his padawan, "Obi-Wan go and dress."

Obi-Wan did as he was told. He entered his bedroom and shut the door behind him. Going to the closet he pulled out a tunic. Ja'lisa looked at him with frightened eyes, "I should go, Obi. I don't want you and your master to get into trouble."

Obi-Wan shook his head and whispered, "You can't go! Stay here, I will be back as soon as I can, and I will help you! Just stay, please tell me you will stay."

Not wanting to leave the safe haven of Obi-Wan's home, Ja'lisa nodded in consent.

~~~~

Obi-Wan Kenobi was a bundle of nerves by the time he and his Master arrived at the council room. He would have to hide the truth from not only his Master, but from the twelve members of the Jedi council. This could have grave repercussions. He could be suspended or banished from the order. But, with determination, the youth decided that if it would help his friend, it was worth it.

Dern Galen was already in the council room when Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan arrived. Dern stared daggers at the Master and apprentice as they entered. Qui-Gon calmly regarded the other master and turned his attention to the twelve members before him.

Yoda was the first to speak, "Master Jinn, Padawan Kenobi, terrible accusations Master Galen has brought against you."

Taking a calming breath, Qui-Gon began to speak, "My Master, I have reason to believe that Master Dern has been mistreating Padawan Ja'lisa Bray."

That statement caused Dern Galen to turn red, the Master was not able to hide his anger. In a demanding tone he asked, "And what proof do you have?"

Qui-Gon was the epitome of calm as stated his response, "Feeling only. Instinct. The child had a burn from a training saber."

"Children drop their weapons in practice at times," said Ki-Adi Mundi, "you yourself know this. I have seen Padawan Kenobi with saber burns."

Ignoring Dern, who was now gloating, Qui-Gon nodded, "Yes, but never in an odd spot like that. It would be impossible for her to drop her weapon and burn her forearm. Also, the burn was not treated. When my apprentice receives an injury, I always care for it right away."

The council was silent. They considered the small group in front of them. Finally one spoke. It was Adi Gallia, "Padawan Kenobi, what do you have to say about all of this."

The poor boy's eyes grew wide as he stammered for an answer, "I...I agree with my master."

Looking kindly at the frightened padawan, Adi gently prodded, "Obi-Wan, do you know where Ja'lisa is?"

At that question, Obi-Wan grew very pale. He tightened his shields and he prepared to hide the truth again. Except, before he could, Dern Galen took a threatening step towards the young Jedi. Qui-Gon put Obi-Wan safely behind him and faced Dern.

"Do not ask him tell you. MAKE HIM TELL YOU!" Dern's anger was way out of control. He grew even more angry as he watched Obi-Wan wrap his arms around his master's waist. The boy was shaking by now. Qui-Gon's eyes were not happy as unspoken words dared the irate Dern to make a move.

"Stop this!" Demanded Mace Windu, "Master Galen, you forget your place."

That sharp reprimand did not stop Dern Galen, "I demand that the council break down whatever shields Obi-Wan Kenobi has up in his mind. If you don't I will! I WANT TO KNOW WHERE MY STUDENT IS NOW!"

Yoda's ears perked, "Break down shields will? I think not."

His arms still safeguarding his padawan, Qui-Gon offered, "Masters, you see now how violent Dern Galen is."

"You haven't seen violent Jinn," was the bitter response from Dern Galen, "you the high and mighty Jedi. The perfect Master, so perfect that you lost a padawan to the dark side. And you have never, ever mistreated Obi-Wan have you? Let's see, I don't remember leaving my young apprentice on a war torn planet to fend for himself."

If it were not for his young charge in his arms, Qui-Gon would have challenged Dern Galen to a lightsaber duel. In a voice that was placid, but still broached no room for argument, Qui-Gon replied, "I would stop there Master Dern, you are not helping your cause any." Then turning to the council, Qui-Gon asked, "Masters, this has been a difficult evening for my padawan. I respectfully ask that he be allowed to return to our quarters so we can continue this."

The Council considered the request and Mace Windu nodded, "Padawan Kenobi, you are excused."

----------------------------------

Qui-Gon touched Obi-Wan's shoulder and led him to the door, "Go home and wait for me there. I will be home soon."

The young Jedi looked up at his master and thought about telling him and the council where Ja'lisa was. Surely they would be able to see her injuries and determine that she was telling the truth. But his promise kept him from doing so, the youth tightened his shields and replied in a small voice, "Yes, Master."

Qui-Gon shut the door behind Obi-Wan and turned back to the council, "Masters, we must do something about this situation."

Dern held his anger in check, but he words were not light as he declared, "Yes, Jinn, we do. The way I see it, your kid can tell me where my kid is. Or else."

"Or else what, Galen? I warn you not to threaten my student. And if he does know where Ja'lisa is, he is afraid to say. He wants to protect her."

"This is ludicrous! Protect her from what, I want to know!" Dern was tired of this game, every second his anger grew and he wanted to get out of that room so he could take it out on the right party. Ja'lisa and that Kenobi kid. "Masters I ask now to be excused. We are not getting anywhere, and I still need to find my student."

The twelve members regarded the request and then agreed. Dern bowed at the council, scowled at Qui-Gon, and left the room. Qui-Gon turned to address the Council. "Masters, I fear that Ja'lisa is in danger as long as she is with Dern Galen. They have no bond. The child is frightened to even be in his presence."

Master Yoda was the first to speak. "Agree with you, I do. Find the girl we must."

"Qui-Gon, you must tell Obi-Wan we are on Ja'lisa's side," Mace Windu implored, "We must protect our children at all costs."

~~~~