Thanks for the reviews on the last chapter. I love reviews they make me feel all warm and fuzzy.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Jedi Apprentice characters they belong to Jude Watson, the plot however is mine.

Can Sins Ever Be Forgiven

Chapter 3: True or False

Obi-Wan's hearing had been set for this afternoon, though the proceedings never began since the boy had never shown up. Disappointed Master Yoda had decided to reschedule it until they could find the missing padawan could be found. Master Mace Windu was calmly strolling through out the mass of students hoping to find the ginger haired boy amongst his peers just as he was about to give up he spotted the tall figure of Qui-Gon Jinn enjoying the scenery in the Room of a Thousand Fountains.

"Qui-Gon." The Master nodded at his friend as he approached. "Have you seen Obi-Wan any where around?"

The knight inwardly sighed at the question. He had nothing to do with the boy, why was everybody coming to him about Obi-Wan. "No, Mace. The last time I saw him was when he was with the Healers yesterday."

"He missed his hearing this morning and we have been unable to find him."

"His hearing?" He thought for a moment before it dawned on him. "About Bruck Chun. How did the Council decide?" He didn't think that his former apprentice had intentionally killed the other boy. Obi-Wan may be do a lot of questionable things but killing someone, he just couldn't picture it.

"We didn't, though his absence does tend to sway one to believe in his quilt." A heavy sigh emanated from the Master. "You know his friends better then I, would you mind asking around if anyone has seen him." Qui-Gon knew that was more of an order then a request so he reluctantly agreed and set out to look for the boy.

If anybody knew where to find Obi-Wan it would be Bant. Qui-Gon knew that they were almost attached at the hip so he set of to find the Calamarian girl. He found her in her room along with Reeft and Garen Mulen studying, this was fortunate for him now he didn't have to spend time tracking all of Obi-Wan's friends down. These three were the only ones that had stuck with him after his decision to leave and one of them would most likely know his whereabouts.

"Have any of you seen Obi-Wan today?" Qui-Gon asked the trio in a calming voice. The Calamarian and the Dresselian both shook there heads but Garen spoke up.

"I thought I saw him leaving the Temple earlier." Concern shrouded his face slightly as he looked up at the knight. "He hasn't been talking to anybody lately."

"And I haven't seen him at evening meal in a long time." Reefts grey wrinkly skin made him look awfully sad.

"He showers at least five times a day." Bant's big silver eyes widened even more as she recalled the tired worn look of her friend over the past months "I don't think he's sleeping either. I think some thing's wrong with him but whenever we try to talk to him he makes up some kind of excuse and leaves."

"I'm sure he's fine." Qui-Gon tried to reassure the three concerned faces staring at him. He was going to have to have a talk with the boy when he finds him. Why was it that he was the only one that hadn't noticed the change in Obi-Wan? Maybe something is wrong with the boy.

A search of all Obi-Wan's usual hang outs turned up nothing. Weary, Qui-Gon returned home to the temple, eventually the boy would turn up and he would get to the bottom of this once and for all. He felt guilty for not paying enough attention to notice that there was something wrong, after about an hour of searching he finally admitted that he still cared for his ginger haired, blue eyed, highly disobedient former apprentice.

He went into the kitchen and made himself a cup of hot tea to help relax him. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen. He tried to push it away figuring that he was just worried, it was nothing. Just as the thought finished he heard a soft knock on his door. Sitting his cup on the coffee table he rose to his feet and answered the door.

As the door slid open Obi-Wan rushed into his arms burying his face into Qui-Gon's chest. "Obi-Wan, where have you…" He felt something warm and moist beneath his finger tips as he took a hold of his thin arms, looking down he saw blood dripping from a deep gash in the back of Obi-Wan's head. "Fighting? You've been fighting again?"

Qui-Gon pulled him into the kitchen and sat him down. "Did you not hear a word I said yesterday? And you missed your hearing, everybody is worried about you and you lied to me about eating and sleeping. What is wrong with you lately?"

"I wasn't fighting." His voice was weak and full of pain. He had lost a lot of blood, when he finally came to in the alley with Harvey watching him he had remembered being beat up by Xanatos and that he was to deliver an ultimatum to Qui-Gon.

"You're bleeding from everywhere, there's a hole in the back of your head, and your nose looks like it's broken. Stop lying to me and tell me what's going on." His voice wasn't of its usual calm demeanor instead it came out annoyed and accusing.

"I wasn't fighting." He repeated. Qui-Gon stepped in front of him crossing his arms over his chest.

"Then what were you doing?"

"I went for a walk…." He was unable to finish his explanation as Qui-Gon angrily interrupted him.

"You don't end up looking like you went three rounds with a Wookie from taking a walk." He could feel the heat of anger rising within him, he used all his will to force it back down.

"Fine!" Obi-Wan stood up and looked at Qui-Gon. "I was fighting! That's what you want to hear. You don't care what the truth is you just want to believe that it was my fault. You don't care." Obi-Wan could feel tears beginning to form in his eyes as he pressed on. "I know I screwed up on Milidia Daan, and for that I'm sorry but when have I ever lied to you?" He limped passed Qui-Gon and disappeared out the door.

With both hands on his hips, Qui-Gon sighed and sat down, something was deffinatly wrong. He decided to give the boy a night to cool off and talk to him first thing in the morning.

Tbc.