LianneZ4 – I have had a lot of fun thinking through Crion's character. He is difficult – not the perfect padawan, but he is not his father. And yes, we haven't seen the last of Xan.

Charismilena – I wish it could have worked out for Xan, Mia, and little Crion. I did hate that Mia had to die, but the muse demanded it. I feel bad (but only for a moment) for what I have put Xan through because he really does love his son. However, I am excited to finally bring Obi-Wan into this. Should be interesting.

Chapter 10

Crion stepped outside the broad double doors that led from the Council chambers feeling as though he could finally breathe again. The collective gaze of twelve of the most respected Jedi masters in the galaxy had threatened to make his knees buckle. They had asked him many questions. He had forced himself to answer, which was new for him. Usually he had no difficulty finding his voice and speaking what was on his mind. All that mattered now is that they had approved the partnership. Though still without the appropriate symbol of a padawan, something that would happen in a later ceremony, he was officially Obi-Wan Kenobi's apprentice.

"What now?"

"I need to arrange housing for us and take care of a few other matters, mostly paperwork. You are welcome to come, but I imagine you would rather catch up to your friends."

"Are you sure?" Crion asked, torn between wanting to stay at his new master's side and wanting to share his good news.

"Yes, Padawan. The rest of the afternoon is yours."

"Thank you."

Crion offered a hasty bow, before turning to leave. He was stopped by Obi-Wan's voice.

"I almost forgot. My master has invited us for evening meal tonight."

"So soon," Crion murmured dolefully. The idea of interacting with both Qui-Gon Jinn and Anakin Skywalker for an entire evening was about as welcoming as facing the entire Jedi Council again.

"It will be fine," Obi-Wan assured him. "I will meet you outside your room at 1800. How does that sound?"

"Good. I'll see you then … Master."

Crion quickly made his way to the wing of the Temple where classrooms were located. He had missed class, but Obi-Wan had assured him that his instructor was aware of the circumstances. It was not quite dismissal time, so he waited outside the door for Sienn and Keyan, in some ways still reeling from the sharp turn his life had taken in just a few hours. He wasn't quite sure why he was shocked. Apprenticeship was the usual progression for a Jedi his age. Perhaps it was the immensity of being trained into such a line – Obi-Wan Kenobi, trained by Master Jinn, trained by Master Dooku, trained by Master Yoda himself. To be apprenticed to Obi-Wan Kenobi, who had defeated a Sith while still a padawan and saved his master's life was an honor, for certain. His thoughts continued to churn. Master Dooku had left the Order. And then, there was Master Jinn's first apprentice, the one who had betrayed his master and embraced the Darkside of the Force. Crion vowed that he would do his best to honor his line and not further mar it.

One of the classes let out early, younglings flowing into the hallways, chatting excitedly about late afternoon plans now that it was free time. Crion stared down at his boots, wishing Master Nahayti would let his class out early as well.

"Hey, Skywalker!"

Crion's head snapped up in time to see three boys converging on Anakin. All were younger than Crion, in the class below him. He didn't recall their names, but had seen them around the dining hall and practice rooms. In the center of the group was a classic bully, needing the support of a pack to pick on someone smaller.

"So are they ever going to stop making you spar with the babies?"

It was common knowledge in the crèche rumor mill that Anakin's education had been in a sad state since arriving at the Temple. While tutored privately, he still was catching up on classes with some of the younger initiates. Also behind in basic techniques, he was sparring with younger classes. Though from what Crion had heard, he was improving every day and was strong in the Force.

"Yeah." Anakin jutted out his lip defensively. "When I pass you up and am sparring and beating the older padawans."

Crion let out a deep sigh. Anakin was dream bait for bullies. He didn't fit in, was unsure of himself, and let everything bother him.

"I don't know why Master Jinn wastes his time with you," the boy said. Jev was his name, Crion remembered. "There are a lot more deserving in the Temple …"

Crion knew his next course of action was unwise, but it was likely the right thing to do.

"Like you?" Crion scoffed, drawing near to the scene. "Do you honestly think Master Jinn would want to train someone who feels so small that he has to pick on someone else to make himself feel big?"

"Stay out of this," the boy said planting a finger in Crion's chest, perhaps realizing his mistake when he had to look up at the older boy.

"And …" Crion continued, pushing Jev's hand away. "Who are you to question what the Force tells a great Jedi master to do? From what I have heard, Master Jinn has more reverence for the will of the Force than any other Jedi in the Temple. If he's training Anakin, it's because it's what the Force told him to do."

"This is none of your business."

"Well, I'm making it my business." Crion leaned against the wall, crossing arms over his chest. "You pretty much have two choices. You continue with this fight you are about to start because Force knows, Skywalker will fight you. The only problem is that you have to deal with me also. I spar with padawans two years older than me so I will probably smear you all over the floor. This fight will go on your already long and dreary record and you will go to Agricorps in 3 more years. Or, you can just walk away and leave him alone. Your choice."

The three boys looked around at each other, almost confused. Perhaps they were confounded by his logic. They seemed to get the message though. Anakin eyed Crion suspiciously as the small gang walked away. "Why did you just do that?"

"I felt like helping, okay?" the older boy said, turning to leave.

"I don't get it."

That was true on so many levels, Crion thought to himself.

"I know what you call me," Anakin continued.

"Yeah, and you are a brat, and I will keep calling you a brat because that's what younger kids are to older kids – brats."

The fiery burst of anger and hurt that sprang from the younger boy made Crion grimace. He stomped back toward the bewildered padawan, grabbing up a fistful of tunics and shoving him back against the wall. Certain he had Anakin's attention, he leveled a pointed gaze. "Skywalker, you seriously have to let go … just let it all go and lose the massive chip on your shoulder. You cannot let their kind get the best of you."

"You don't understand," Anakin whimpered.

"Yeah, I do understand … more than you know. Any one of them would have eaten their left foot to have Master Jinn notice them. They're jealous that a great Jedi master chose you instead. Why can't you see the positive in that? They are the ones with an issue."

"But, I get hassled every day." The Chosen One clenched his trembling fists as intense emotion continued to bubble out into the Force. "I just want them to go away."

"Force, Skywalker - watch the anger. It makes my skin crawl." Crion released his hold on Anakin's tunics, smoothing them out as he pasted on his best smile. "You work on control – I'll keep the bullies off your back. Deal?" he asked, extending his hand.

"Deal," Anakin said hesitantly, accepting the hand offered. "Why are you doing this?"

"Because your padawan brother just took me as his apprentice, and he seems to care a great deal about you."

"You're the one coming for dinner?"

"Apparently so." Crion could sense Sienn nearby, pride radiating off of her like a mother kitling watching its young … well, do whatever young kitlings did. "Look, I need to go. I guess I'll see you tonight."

Crion turned, walking away from the Chosen One, with the feeling he was going to deeply regret what he just did. He neared Sienn, who offered him a wide smile before throwing her arm around him and resting her head on his shoulder. "I am so proud of you, Padawan Ryal," she whispered. "And it's so sweet that you're being nice to Anakin."

"Where's Keyan?" Crion groaned.

"He had to miss class also to get some shot before going on his next mission. You both left me to face Master Nahayti all alone." Both lekku drooped, but the slight smirk on her face betrayed that she was just putting on an act. She began to pull Crion down the hallway with her. "Keyan said that he would meet us in the Room of a Thousand Fountains."

"Hey, Crion!" Anakin yelled as he ran to catch up with them. "Can I walk with you guys?"

Crion shot Sienn his best pathetic glance, adding a bit of his bottom lip for effect. "Help," he pleaded softly.

"Sorry, I don't fall for that," Sienn whispered, sharing his pout right before raising her voice. "Sure, Anakin."

The boy slid up beside the pair. Anakin crinkled his face as he looked across Crion to the pink-skinned Twi'lek walking closely beside him. "Is she your girlfriend?"

"No," Crion spat out in obvious agitation. "Jedi don't have girlfriends. Don't you know that?"

"Then why does she have her arm around you?" the younger boy asked.

"Because she's a friend, almost like a sister," Crion explained.

"Oh." Anakin paused for a moment to process, and then scrambled to catch up with the pair of friends again. "So if your master is my padawan brother, does that make me your uncle?"

"No, Anakin." Crion rolled his eyes in a silent plea at Sienn again. She laughed lightly.

"So what does that make me?" Anakin persisted.

"If you insist on a family relationship, more like a cousin. Possibly, a friend in the future if you will stop being so damn annoying."

"Does Obi-Wan know you cuss?" Anakin asked in absolute seriousness. "My master washes my mouth out with soap when I cuss."

Well, that was something to look forward, Crion thought to himself.

An ache began to set into Crion's temple as he continued to walk along, Anakin trotting proudly beside him shooting out questions faster than a laser turret. He couldn't help but feel that he had somehow just made a grave mistake in befriending the Chosen One.

Evening meal was going to be interesting.

Qui-Gon was still in the kitchen when the front door chimed.

"I'll get it," Anakin yelled excitedly from the other room.

The Jedi master sensed the warm presence of his former padawan and the quiet, but very strong presence of Crion Ryal following. Qui-Gon took a deep breath, releasing his unease into the Force. It was time. He had known the Force would push his hand some day, just as it had helped him begin to recover from Xanatos' betrayal by bringing Obi-Wan into his life. Embracing Xanatos' son would be yet another step in that journey. Checking the stew one last time, he wiped his hands on a dish towel and went to the door to greet them.

Crion was standing by the door; his expression was calm as he surveyed the small quarters. Anakin had apparently grabbed Obi-Wan's hand and whisked him away to show off some contraption he was in the process of building.

"You sure have a lot of plants in here," Crion commented, in a polite attempt to start conversation.

"Yes, I do. I have collected them from all over the galaxy," Qui-Gon explained pleasantly.

"Ah," was all the boy said, peeking back to Anakin's room.

He was apparently a little distressed at talking to Qui-Gon alone, but more distraught by the prospect of venturing into Anakin's room. His eyes met Qui-Gon's again, eyes that held the same combination of keen intelligence and arrogance the Jedi master had always associated with Xanatos. Deciding that the line of thought was detrimental, Qui-Gon began to look for Mia in the boy standing before him. She was there also, not as obvious. Perhaps he recognized her from the calm temperament to which the boy managed to cling. Hopefully Crion had inherited her courage as well. He was going to need it with Obi-Wan's knack for finding trouble.

"I am glad you could come," Qui-Gon offered to keep things from settling into awkward silence. "It's nothing fancy I'm afraid, just a simple stew."

"Don't be modest, Master," Obi-Wan said, returning to the common room. "You make the best nerf stew."

"Thank you for having us, Master Jinn," Crion said, bowing respectfully.

"Let's eat before it gets cold."

The meal was going well. The nerf stew had survived going through seconds, but was now almost gone. Crion finally relaxed into the conversation when Qui-Gon began to ask him about his friends. He was more than eager to talk about the two youth that seemed to complete him. Then Anakin chose to enter the conversation.

"Crion helped me out in the hallway today after school. Jev Yisl was giving me trouble."

Qui-Gon would have thought that after over a year at the Temple, other younglings would have been more accepting of his padawan, but that was not the case. Harassment was a problem that seemed to plague the Chosen One.

"How were you able to persuade this youngling to leave Anakin alone?" Obi-Wan asked casually.

"He offered to fight with me," Anakin blurted out.

"It was never going to progress to a fight," Crion was quick to assure Obi-Wan. "Once someone started trying to bring sense to the situation, Jev lost interest.

"I really wasn't expecting it, especially since everyone knows that Crion calls me the Chosen Brat," Anakin continued.

The room went silent; the only sound heard was a spoon clanging to a bowl in a slosh of stew. Qui-Gon quickly looked over to where Crion had apparently dropped his spoon, splattering his leftover dinner down the front of him. He calmly looked down the front of him as he picked up a napkin and slowly began blotting at his tunics.

"Oh," Anakin mumbled. "You probably didn't want me saying that, did you?"

"No, Skywalker, not really," Crion said softly, avoiding looking either elder Jedi in the eye.

"I don't mind … now that you've explained it all." Anakin looked up to Qui-Gon, quick to defend his new friend. "Crion's friends are nice. They let me hang out with them today. Keyan is funny. He told me to watch out and not let Crion corrupt me. And Sienn is really sweet. She hangs on Crion and kinda snuggles with him, but she isn't his girlfriend or anything … because Jedi don't have girlfriends."

Crion gave on wiping his tunics and now was just sitting, a blush staining his cheeks as he stared into his bowl of unfinished stew.

"Are you okay, Padawan?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Yeah … I'm just thinking about crawling under the table and dying, that's all," the boy said, finally summoning the courage to meet Qui-Gon's gaze.

"I would rather you not do that," Qui-Gon replied, smiling. "I would have a hard time explaining your dead body under my table. However, thank you for helping Anakin. Jev Yisl has been a thorn in his side for some time now, and any non violent solutions you can come up with are appreciated."

"It's getting late, Master," Obi-Wan said. "Crion and I have a pretty full schedule tomorrow so we should probably go."

Crion looked as though he was ready to hug his new master for providing a timely exit.

"Of course, Padawan," Qui-Gon said. "I look forward for to seeing more of you, Crion," he continued as the new master and padawan team left.

He stood at the door for some time, shamelessly using Force-enhanced hearing to spy.

"That could have gone better," Crion said.

"What happened to the boy who was comfortable in his own skin and didn't care what others thought?" Obi-Wan asked in amusement.

"I just wanted to make a good impression on Master Jinn."

"I think you did."