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"Anakin!" A frustrated Obi-Wan Kenobi yelled into his comlink, "The council has summoned us immediately! Get up here now!" Obi-Wan switched off the comm and sighed. Get a grip Kenobi, you're only twenty-six and already you're letting your ten-year-old padawan get under your skin.

Obi-Wan ran a hand through his short hair, still getting used to not having his padawan braid. He sighed again, wishing that Qui-Gon was there to give him some of his famous advice, the advice that Obi-Wan had always taken to heart when he had been a padawan.

As Obi-Wan walked to the council chambers, he couldn't help feeling tired and worn. Anakin had only been his padawan for five months, and Obi-Wan felt as though the entire Jedi order was watching his every move.

The ache in his heart was still painful when he thought of Qui-Gon, and it seared even more when he looked at Anakin. This was the boy that Qui-Gon had laid down everything for: his life as a Jedi, his relationship with Obi-Wan, even his life.

"Promise me...you will train the boy"

"Yes Master"

His master's dying wish still echoed in his head. He had promised... His master had taught him so much. He would have done anything for Obi-Wan. I don't want to fail you, Master, but I don't know if I can do this. Obi-Wan did not want to fail, but he couldn't help it...there was something still eating inside of him.

Obi-Wan would respect every aspect of his Master's request to train the boy. Obi-Wan had promised, and Obi-Wan was not a Jedi who would ever break a promise. He was bound to the boy, but deep inside him still was something that he had held at the back of his mind for years...

He wanted his own padawan. He wanted to find an apprentice with whom he had that special, pure, unbreakable master/padawan bond. But he was committed to Anakin. He would train him. "You will be a Jedi, Anakin, I promise."

Obi-Wan would wait. He would have to. Patience was key to a Jedi. Someday, after Anakin reached Knighthood, he would have a padawan that he chose. He could do it right. He would be older, he would have experience, and he would be able to gently council them in the same way that Qui-Gon had always led him on the Jedi path. Someday...someday...

He found himself outside of the Council Chambers, but there was still no sign of Anakin. If that boy is late again... Obi-Wan's heart was beating a little bit too quickly for comfort. The whole Jedi Council was already watching his every move as it was, and if Anakin was late again to a briefing with the Council...well, he would rather not think about it.

"Master!"

"Anakin! Where in the name of the Force have you been?"

"Sorry Master, I was just getting so involved in...um...lightsaber practice that I um...must have not heard my comlink and...um..." Anakin failed to mention his minor detour to the Coruscant Junk Yard to salvage parts for his latest project.

"Anakin, you do not lie to your master! How many times have I told you this? Trust is the-"

"-the strongest foundation in a master/padawan relationship. I know this already Master, you've given me this lecture a million times."

"And we will keep having it until you fully understand it!"

Just then, the Council Chamber doors slid open, and Obi-Wan and Anakin stepped inside, but Obi-Wan was still fuming with anger. I never would have even thought of speaking to Qui-Gon like that when I was a padawan. I can't believe him. It's as though he hasn't heard a word that I've told him! Next time he even tries it, I'm going to-

"Obi-Wan?" The anger cleared from Obi-Wan's head as he saw Mace Windu gazing sharply at him. Great. Just what I need. To be on Windu's bad side. What a fantastic way to get the Council to be pleased with me.

"Obi-Wan, are you alright?"

"Yes Master Windu. I apologize." I apologize and Anakin gets to clean the refresher every day for a year after this.

"Arose a crisis has," Master Yoda announced, "On the small planet of Roden. Jedi mediation immediately is needed. Sending you and your apprentice we are Obi-Wan."

Anakin could hardly contain his excitement. "A mission? Finally? Alright! When do we leave? Do we get to take starfighters? Are we gonna get to fight?"

"Anakin!" Obi-Wan couldn't believe his padawan's outburst. Just then, he caught sight of Mace Windu glaring at him. Great. I swear Kenobi, you need to get a grip on yourself and that apprentice of yours.

Obi-Wan could practically hear Qui-Gon chuckling at him through the Force, and the sharp pain in his heart got even worse when he thought of the wry smile that Qui-Gon would be wearing if he could see him.

The severe look on Mace Windu's face remained as he surveyed Obi-Wan and Anakin. "Jocasta Nu will give you all of the details on your mission," Mace said, "And may the Force be with you."

Obi-Wan and Anakin bowed to the Council. "May the Force be with you, Masters." He and Anakin silently left the Chamber and they headed for the Archives.

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