A/N: I know this story is labeled action/adventure, and trust me, it will be. I love roller coaster rides through a story and all. We just need to set up some things first, and well, I love character interactions and peaking into their minds, so you'll find lots of that from me.

Chapter 2: Midnight Counsel

Thinking: The talking of the soul with itself.

- Plato

Obi-Wan felt agony to match no other as he saw the disappointed look in his Master's eyes. It was a look of betrayal, of surprise, sorrow and disbelief; the kind one gave when someone you loved stabbed you in the back. The kind of look, the padawan was sure, Xanatos had received when he had turned on Qui-Gon. A look Obi-Wan had never wanted to see directed at him. To Obi-Wan's horror, he peered down to realized he had stabbed his Master not in the back, but through the heart. An appropriate target if ever there was one, he realized, as he again looked into his Master's hurt eyes. Qui-Gon gave him one last sad look before he slid limply to the ground, leaving Obi-Wan to stare blankly at the azure 'saber in his hands.

A weapon he once loved, a symbol of his Jedi status, hand made to perfection… an object now tainted with his Master's blood. The lightsaber fell from fingers too numb to hold it and clattered to the floor, as it's blue beam disintegrated.

Obi-Wan dropped to his knees beside Qui-Gon, heart broken. It couldn't be real, could it? He would never, never strike out at Qui-Gon! Just as he was about to scream, cry, damn himself, do something… the scene around him began to fade.

Suddenly he awoke in his bed. And he was calm, warm, and comfortable. It was a dream; it was all just a dream. Relief like he had never known flooded through the weary padawan. Obi-Wan looked over to see Bant sitting next to him with a bright, warm smile on her face. Her silver eyes were full of affection. Ah Bant… wait, Bant? What was she doing in his room? Next to his bed for that matter? Obi-Wan tried to ask her, but he suddenly found he was too tired to even mouth the words.

"Shh, it's alright Obi, just sleep," she said soothingly as she stroked his hair.

Ob-Wan found he couldn't resist the suggestion and his eyes closed of their own accord. Something about this situation had Qui-Gon's Force signature written all over and he let it wash over him like a cleansing wave. This time when he dreamt, the nightmares did not return.

Obi-Wan opened his eyes to find the evening sun shining in his window. The padawan blinked his eyes a few times as he collected his thoughts. Where had Bant gone? Was she really even here, he wondered? Then it came to him, of course not; she was a dream as well. A far more pleasant one then the first, he had to admit. The dreams usually didn't start off distressful then end, err… happy. That hadn't happened before, but then Obi-Wan remembered he had felt his Master's presence before the dream ended. It would appear Qui-Gon had given him a little push into deeper sleep. In truth, he was grateful. Restful nights were becoming rare. It also affirmed his suspicion that his Master knew of his restless nights. And why wouldn't he? The ever-diligent Qui-Gon rarely missed anything where his padawan was concerned. Many were the nights, that shortly after Obi-Wan had awoke in a cold sweat, his Master would come knocking on the door to see if all was well. Obi-Wan felt slightly guilty. Sharing a connective bond as they did, it meant that a restless night for the padawan, meant a restless night for the master. It also meant, to Obi-Wan's surprise, that his Master had knowingly let him sleep half the day away.

Obi-Wan rose from the bed and shuddered as the disbelieving eyes of his Master flashed through his memory.

Always the dreams ended like that, or some other act of defiance. Treachery. Either from him or someone close to him. No matter his actions, no matter how hard he tried, it always ended like that. If he became angry, he struck them down, or if someone betrayed him, he was forced to defend himself.

Obi-Wan sat cross-legged on the floor and tried to meditate. He needed to find his center, his focus. It would chase away the unpleasant feelings left over from his recent bout of nightmares. The padawan slowed his breathing and tried to reach out to the Force. He felt the awing presence, but it came slowly to his call, almost sluggish like moving through water. Then for a moment, it hesitated, and didn't come.

The next moment, Obi-Wan proceeded to panic.

He had to stop and take a deep breath, of course the Force would answer him, just not with his emotions flying high, he needed to calm down.

Before Obi-Wan even finished his breath a knock sounded at his door.

"Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon called.

His Master's voice held a controlled sense of urgency. Not something anyone else would pick up on, but he recognized it all the same. Qui-Gon had felt his fear. Obi-Wan took the moment to collect himself, and this time, the Force answered and flowed through him. The padawan raised his shields tightly around his emotions and answered the door.

"Yes Master?" he said pleasantly.

From the frown that his Master was barely suppressing, Obi-Wan knew he wasn't buying the pleasant, carefree facade.

"Not to disturb you from your quiet… contemplations padawan, but the evening meal is ready," Qui-Gon stated calmly before turning to leave.

"Coming Master, and…" Obi-Wan paused until Qui-Gon turned to face him again, "thank you," he finished kindly.

Qui-Gon merely gave a silent nod and headed for the table. Obi-Wan obediently followed and sat down as well. He noticed his Master studying him and it was hard to tell what his mentor was thinking. Obi-Wan longed to know, but he didn't think he could keep his thoughts in check if he dropped his shields. They ate in comfortable silence until Qui-Gon finally spoke up.

"What do you know of Tammuz-an, Obi-Wan?"

"Admittedly, not much Master, just that it's inhabitants have been fighting each other for generations."

Qui-Gon nodded in affirmation.

"We are to take a transport to Tammuz-an in the morning. The Julpa prince has called for peace talks with the Outer Territories and the representatives from both sides have requested a Jedi presence. We are to ensure the safety of the delegates while the negotiations occur."

The Jedi Master drew a data pad from his robe and placed it in front of his apprentice.

"This is Tammuz-an's history, political strife, and current status. As I forwent our talk about Vaapad to let you rest, our time now grows short. Instead, you will learn all of that before the morning."

Obi-Wan stared at the data sheet in shock for a moment. The Council had summoned them to session and his Master hadn't taken his padawan with him? He now found it ironic, that after all the times he'd wished to get out of the arduous Council sessions, he was now hurt his Master had left him behind for one. He was sure he couldn't quite mask the disappointment he felt.

"You mean the Council…" Obi-Wan faltered.

"Called me to session, yes," Qui-Gon finished.

"With all due respect Master, why…" Obi-Wan tried to push again.

"Didn't I take you with me?" Qui-Gon cut in.

"I said the Council summoned me, padawan, not us."

"But Qui-Gon," Obi-Wan stumbled in his frustration, "why would they…?"

Obi-Wan saw the flicker, brief as it was, in his Master's eyes and knew he had pushed too far. The rest of his complaints fell silent.

"Need I remind you, learner," Qui-Gon stressed the word, "that it is not your place to decide what missions we take. But as you seem to want to press this issue, the Council wished to speak to me alone."

Although Qui-Gon's voice was even and controlled, as it always was, Obi-Wan could tell his Master was displeased and inwardly cringed at being called learner. A term he hadn't used on Obi-Wan in a long time. His Master was right; of course, it wasn't his place to question either him, or the Council's decision, so the padawan sucked in his wounded pride, grabbed the data pad and stood from the table.

"You're right, revered Master mine, I would never question your, or the Council's, decisions. It was erroneous of me to speak out of place as I did and I apologize for my behavior," Obi-Wan finished with a low bow to accentuate his point.

Qui-Gon sighed; this wasn't going as well as he had hoped.

"It is alright padawan. Finish your studies now," Qui-Gon instructed.

"Yes Master," Obi-Wan answered obediently and went back to his room.

After the open panic he had felt from his apprentice earlier, Qui-Gon had wanted to confront Obi-Wan about his dreams after he had told him of the mission. Obi-Wan, for both their sakes, needed a clear mind for the mission. Qui-Gon honestly hadn't counted on Obi-Wan's reaction of disappointment about the council. Council debriefings weren't one of his apprentice's, shall we say, favorite pass times.

His padawan was, in fact, the reason Qui-Gon was summoned alone. This was a mission with the potential for disaster and meant for two fully trained Jedi Knights. But as there weren't two Knights readily available, him and Obi-Wan, as one of the senior apprenticing teams, were decided the next best thing. Although a Master and Padawan team they may be, Obi-Wan was coming of an age where he would start the final stage of his training soon. He was skilled, competent, and clear minded. What he lacked was experience, though, it was seen, that Qui-Gon's presence there would make up for the fact. Qui-Gon was an excellent negotiator. Nine times out of ten, he was able to handle the situation peacefully, but when it came to ah, negotiations with a lightsaber's touch, he excelled in this as well. He was, in fact, the prime candidate to send on this mission. Obi-Wan would just fill in for the other Knight, and with the strength of the Master/Padawan bond going for them, they were chosen.

In truth, it was an honor. The Council was placing a lot of confidence in his apprentice's abilities. What worried Qui-Gon was Obi-Wan's steadily diminishing mental state. His padawan might be able to hide his growing exhaustion from others, but it didn't work on Qui-Gon, not after eight years together. The Jedi Master had expressed his reservations about his padawan being ready for such a trying mission, but there was no one else to take their place, so a reluctant Jedi Master had accepted.

Now if he could only get his reserved padawan to share his inner struggle with him, Qui-Gon thought wearily.

It was well into the night when Obi-Wan had finished pouring over the data and committing as much of it to memory as he could. Obi-Wan glanced at the time, 00:30.* Even with sleeping half the day away he was still tired, but he had no desire to face the atrocious world that lay hidden in slumber just yet. And, he thought ruefully, if he were awake, then Qui-Gon at least, could sleep.

Deciding a walk might clear his mind, Obi-Wan grabbed his robe, and silently headed for the door. He used all his Jedi training to move through the dark place and out the door as quietly as possible. Students weren't allowed to move around the temple at night, per say, but no one usually confronted him about it, probably because most rational people were asleep, he thought dryly. Obi-Wan wondered, not really paying attention to where he was going.

Some time later the padawan looked up as he realized he had unconsciously made his way to the Room of a Thousand Fountains. He had come here as a youngling when troubled. Fitting, he thought. He supposed some habits died hard. Obi-Wan walked the well-known paths soaking in the peaceful sounds of the many waterfalls as the water cascaded its rocky way down to its final destination. He wished he had his Master's proficiency with the Living Force. Qui-Gon could get lost for hours in a place such as this. Even so, Obi-Wan found that the water's gentle rush was indeed soothing. He wasn't sure how long he had been walking the halls or roaming around in here, but it was probably getting late and decided to head back. He gave one final sigh before heading for the footbridge. The padawan almost made it too.

"Troubled, are you?"

Obi-Wan turned at the base of the bridge to see Master Yoda amongst the vegetation, the little green master almost blending in with his lush surroundings. He knew the diminutive master had a fondness for this most peaceful of places, as well, but was nonetheless surprised to see him here. It was late after all. Didn't he ever sleep? As if your one to talk. He chided himself.

"Yes, Master Yoda," he said with a respectful bow reserved for Council members.

Master Yoda had been the only one he could confide in as a child and he found himself wanting to talk to the old master. Yes, some habits do die hard.

"Troubled, have your nights been," Yoda stated more than asked.

Obi-Wan nodded his head.

"Much anxiety, there is in you. Turn to fear, it easily can."

Yoda didn't have to explain to Obi-Wan the dangers of fear, he knew all too well, and Yoda was aware he understood. Obi-Wan suddenly felt compelled to try and make Master Yoda understand. So he knelt down in front of the little master and told Yoda about his dreams, about all of them, and how they made him feel, especially the recent one of his Master. Yoda respectfully remained silent while Obi-Wan talked, allowing the young padawan to profess all of his bottled up anxiety. After Obi-Wan had finished, Yoda remained quiet for a long while. Eventually he brought his little three-fingered hand up to rub his chin in thought.

"Felt your uncertainty, I have. Realized the extent of it, I did not. Hmm," Yoda finished shaking his head.

Yoda looked the padawan straight in the eyes and the intensity of his gaze almost made Obi-Wan look away.

"Tell you of his Council meeting, did Qui-Gon?" Yoda asked.

"No, Master Yoda."

"Hmm," Yoda started shaking his head again, "perhaps made the wrong decision, we have."

Yoda looked at Obi-Wan again and the padawan felt like the little master was looking straight into his soul.

"But, perhaps not. A mission for two Knights this was, two available, we have not. Put its trust in you, the Council has," Yoda finished pointing at Obi-Wan.

"Me?" Obi-Wan asked absently.

"A great honor, that is."

Yoda paused to let his words sink into the bewildered padawan. Honor indeed, Obi-Wan thought. But were they placing too much faith in him? Especially now? Yoda must have read the question in his eyes because when he spoke next, the diminutive master's voice was soft and heavy.

"Take control of these dreams, you must. Or control you, they will! Only grave disaster, will that bring. And not just for you, no. Have this talk with your master, you should."

Obi-Wan nodded like he understood it all, but in truth, he was far lacking.

"I do intent to tell Master Qui-Gon. We've just been busy lately. Today was the first," and last he realized, "day we've had to relax."

"Find the proper time to confront him, you will not. Life moves on, it does. Ever does it flow. Make the time, you must. If wait too long you do, then too late it may become. Now sleep, you should. Leave in the morning, you will."

"Yes, Master Yoda, and thank you for your guidance."

Obi-Wan stood, bowed to the Council member, then left to go back to his room.

Yoda stared after the padawan for a long while, then his small shoulders sunk as he sighed.

"Too late, it may already be," he said quietly before heading for his own quarters.

TBC…

Thanks to everyone who reviewed the first chapter! You guys are grand. I'm pleased to hear that my interpretations of Obi and Qui-Gon are still fairly in character. And for any Qui-Gon lovers out there, don't think anyone gets off in my stories quite so easily.