About an hour into their flight, Obi-Wan realized that he had a problem. Well, actually, he had about ten thousand problems. But first and foremost, he realized he had no idea where they were going . Yes, their actual course was aimed toward Coruscant, because he had to go and clear out his things from the temple. (Not exactly the dramatic exit he'd been hoping for.) But after that… ?

Well, it was anyone's guess, really.

Where would he and Anakin go? How would they keep enough credits in their pockets? Obi-Wan didn't exactly have a ton of skills to keep them financially afloat. And—foremost in his mind, above any of the financial or planetary—how would he train Anakin? He'd only just—quite abruptly—finished his apprenticeship. Usually the masters had each other to rely on, talk to, get help from and help each other. But Obi-Wan would have none of that; he would be entirely cut off from his community, the life he'd always known, his family

Don't think like that. Don't think about it… at all. You've made your choice, and now you need to stick with it.

Obi-Wan didn't regret his choice. He had an obligation to Qui-Gon. He chose to honor it. But it took all his Jedi discipline to push away thoughts of everything he was losing, after he had already lost so much.

"Are you okay?" Anakin had come in from the back of the ship kindly loaned to them by the head of Naboo security, Panaka. Obi-Wan remembered they'd be losing this, too, their method of transport…

"I'm fine."

"You don't look fine."

Irritation struck up in him. "Well, I am."

"Are you sure?"

"Anakin," he sighed, doing his utmost to control his currently short fuse, "if I say that I'm fine, I mean it."

"Okay. Sorry," the young boy said so earnestly that Obi-Wan felt himself soften. "You just looked… Well, never mind."

Anakin went quiet for all of a minute before he began again:

"So—where are we going?"

"Coruscant."

"You're training me there?"

"No."

"Then—why're we going there?"

"Because I need to get my things from the Temple."

"Oh. So, after you get all the things you own, where'll we go?"

"No," said Obi-Wan.

"Huh?" Sky eyes peered at him in bewilderment. He really was a very sweet-looking little boy, and obviously nervous about what the future held for him.

Me too , Obi-Wan mused. But he couldn't show it. He must be like Qui-Gon, always seem on top of things. "Jedi don't own anything," Obi-Wan said. "That would lead to attachment. We shirk attachment."

"Shirk?"

"We don't allow ourselves to become attached. To do so would interrupt our ability to serve the beings of the galaxy and the Force itself."

"Attachment interrupts the Force?! Wow! How?" Then came the addition: "What's attachment?"

Obi-Wan focused on the controls, allowing himself a moment to close his eyes and breathe in deeply. This inquisitive and energetic young boy, he had a feeling, would be the death of him.

OOO

A tight lump was lodged in Obi-Wan's throat as he quickly packed up his few articles of clothing in a small suitcase. The lump had long been there, ever since he first landed at the Temple and felt the familiar sunshine burst of lightful energy suffuse him. He wouldn't know that feeling much longer, or maybe ever again. Not the collected light of thousands of Jedi studying, meditating, surrendering, and pondering upon the will of the Force and how best to follow it.

But he couldn't think of it. He wouldn't think of it. He had to keep it together.

It had gotten even harder when he walked into his and Qui-Gon's old quarters and saw everything the way they had left it only two weeks ago, before the Naboo mission and the catastrophes that followed. Echoes of his old master were everywhere, like a thousand ghosts.

So he packed fast, half blindly, not taking much care with what he threw in and left out. He didn't have much to take, after all. Lightsaber. Clothes. Toothbrushes. That mostly covered it. The remnants of his entire life here in the Jedi Temple.

Obi-Wan drew a deep breath, taking in the room one last time before he firmly turned his back and walked out the door. Whatever came next, he would face it. He must face it. He had his promise to Qui-Gon, and no matter what he would fulfill it.

Yet—he worried. He remembered too well his words to Qui-Gon not a week ago: The boy is dangerous. They all sense it . Granted, Qui-Gon's return had been a good one: His future is uncertain. He's not dangerous . How much Obi-Wan wanted to believe it. But…

No. No buts. He wouldn't let himself ponder the possibilities. So far, Anakin had shown himself a bright, capable boy, clearly gifted beyond measure in the Force. Qui-Gon's belief in prophecy had been great. Qui-Gon's belief in Obi-Wan had been great. He must believe in himself and his ability to guide Anakin Skywalker on the right path.

So preoccupied was Obi-Wan in his thoughts that he failed to notice the eyes following him until he did. Many Jedi, he realized, were stopping, staring. Some gazes held compassion. But others held… what, exactly? Shock?

Concern?

No. Fear . Like Yoda had expressed. Because maybe, since he was breaking away from them and from the rulings of the council, those Jedi who been his family only a day ago now considered him dangerous, too.

OOO

When Obi-Wan arrived back at the spot where he had left Anakin, telling him to wait, he knew a moment of panic. The boy was nowhere in sight. Anakin , he thought. Will you not listen to my directions?

Then a man strode out, his cape billowing in the breeze. How august and official he looked, in his fine clothes and with his neatly groomed beard. It took Obi-Wan a minute to realize he was looking at Master Dooku, his former master's master. Though, Obi-Wan supposed Dooku was now just Count Dooku; he'd left the Order a few years back, and Obi-Wan had known such contempt for and disappointment in him then.

And the Count was leading Anakin by the hand.

"I do apologize, Obi-Wan," Dooku remarked. "I was the one who briefly took young Anakin here away. He'd expressed his boredom, and I offered to show him the archives. Alas… they wouldn't let us in, being former and non Jedi." He offered an ironic smile, then turned serious. "I understand you're leaving the Order yourself."

"Yes," Obi-Wan said. It came out challenging.

Dooku didn't rise to the bait. "I can't blame you," he remarked. "In fact, it's actually why I came here today. With the loss of poor Qui-Gon…" Genuine grief crossed his face—"Well. I'd like to do what I can. Anakin tells me you don't have any immediate obligations anywhere."

Obi-Wan shot Anakin a look. Just because I don't tell you my plans doesn't mean I don't have them , he wanted to say. Though… well. He'd kind of be lying in this instance…

Dooku continued, "So I'd like to invite you two to Serenno. You can train Anakin there, and we can discuss the merits of leaving the Jedi Order."

Then he winked, as if joking about this last. But Obi-Wan had a feeling that he wasn't.

OOO

A/N: Thanks so much for the support with this story, everyone! I am so happy that you all like it. Please consider leaving a review and letting me know your thoughts on this chapter.

Warm wishes,

BrehaLeia