It took every ounce of whatever self-control he still possessed not to rush over and bombard the trio with questions and concern at the get-go. So, for the time being, he had to force himself to watch from a distance. The hangar bay was still buzzing, but this time, the activity felt normal once again.

It was for this reason that the three disembarking Jedi seemed so terribly out of place. They looked awful, Qui-Gon observed. Weary, scarred, and abused.

And just the sight of it was making him physically ill.

He watched as Anakin said something to Captain Rex, who departed the bay at a rather slow pace, Kix hovering beside him-a bit too close for comfort, it seemed.

Shortly after this exchange, Anakin turned to Ahsoka and Qui-Gon noticed Commander Cody tug Obi-Wan slightly off to the side, beginning what appeared to be a heated exchange.

Qui-Gon decided now was as good a time as any for him to insert himself into the situation. By the time he got within ten feet of the ragged group, Anakin had joined the shouting match, taking Cody's side as Ahsoka watched from the sidelines, worry etching deep lines on her youthful face.

"Yeah?" Anakin was saying when Qui-Gon finally came within earshot. "And when exactly do you plan to do that, huh?"

"When it's too late again, no doubt," Cody added, his tone sullen.

Qui-Gon watched his former Padawan sigh, a shaky motion that seemed far too painful for his liking. He picked up his pace.

"The mission debrief is top priority. After Anakin and I finish with the Council, I will…"

Though slight and barely noticeable, Qui-Gon watched Obi-Wan sway on his feet.

"You'll what?" Anakin pressed, crossing his arms across his chest, his skepticism practically bleeding off his tall frame. "You can't even say it, can you?"

"Anakin…"

"Obi-Wan."

"Master Qui-Gon!" Ahsoka's hopeful voice sliced through the gathering tension, alerting them all of Qui-Gon's presence. Then, without warning, she flung herself into his arms and hugged him with all her might.

To say he was surprised would be an understatement. While the four Jedi had an unusually close relationship with each other-far surpassing that of any other lineage in the Temple-the young Padawan had never been one to show affection so openly, taking a page out of Obi-Wan's book instead of that of her own Master's.

It only seemed fitting to hug her back, and as he did so, Qui-Gon could feel the hurt and anxiety clouding her Force presence. He held her tighter.

Clearing his throat, he glanced at Anakin and Obi-Wan, scanning for signs of the same worrying emotions in them, but finding nothing. "Welcome back. I heard you all went on your first undercover mission." Try as he might, he couldn't quite keep the accusatory tones out of his voice.

Obi-Wan's smile didn't reach his eyes. "How soon he forgets that the Jedi are no strangers to going undercover."

"Yeah," Anakin continued, "what about all those times Obi-Wan and I went undercover when I was a Padawan?"

"And the missions you and I went on before that," Obi-Wan added, his smile morphing into a smirk.

Qui-Gon resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "I meant your first against the Separatists."

Anakin clenched a fist. "The Zygerrians aren't your typically Separatists."

"It wasn't anything we couldn't handle," Obi-Wan offered, earning a stoney glare from his commander.

"Yeah," Anakin replied, "because you're handling it so well right now."

"Anakin…"

"Obi-Wan."

"Enough!" Qui-Gon shouted, hating the way Ahsoka flinched in his arms.

Silence, the tension thickening again as the two generals refused to make eye contact with him.

What has happened here? He wondered, taking in their appearance with a critical eye. There were faint scorch marks on Anakin's wrists and neck, and Obi-Wan looked as though someone had repeatedly run him over with a tank full of droids. Yet, these scars and bruises didn't look like the work of a Separatist or even a Sith Lord… Who did this to them?

The heavy silence was broken by Obi-Wan clearing his throat. "Well, I'm afraid Anakin and I are needed in the Council Chambers."

"But you promised when we got back you'd—"

"They're waiting, Anakin."

A silent conversation, one Qui-Gon didn't have time to decipher, passed quickly between the former Master and Apprentice before Anakin finally gave in.

"Fine. But as soon as we're done—"

"Of course," Obi-Wan replied a bit too hastily.

"General, are you sure you'll be—"

Again, Obi-Wan interrupted. "Don't worry about me, Cody. Come on, Anakin."

As the two began their trek to the Council spire, Qui-Gon briefly met Obi-Wan's gaze before his Padawan averted his eyes once more.

A shiver ran down his spine. Obi-Wan was purposefully hiding something from him. But what? And why?

He felt Ahsoka pull away from him, a pained expression marring her face.

"Ahsoka," he breathed, glancing back at the retreating Jedi, "what happened?"

The Togruta took a shaky breath. "It was bad, Master Jinn."

Anxiety gripped his chest.

"Master Plo says we never should have been there, but…"

Qui-Gon shifted his gaze back to the troubled Padawan. "But what, young one?"

"But… I can't help but wonder what could've happened if we hadn't been there. The colonists—my people—would still be slaves. I don't regret what we did… I just hope that,"—Here, her blue eyes misted over—"that my people will be able to recover from this. That Master Obi-Wan will be able to recover, too. And Rex. And Anakin."

"And what about you, Ahsoka?"

Genuine confusion shone off her face. "Me, Master?"

"Will you be able to recover?"

Silence.

"Are you all right?"

She looked to the floor. "I just wanted to help them, but I don't know how."

"Who?" Qui-Gon probed.

"Obi-Wan. Anakin. Rex. They all suffered so much. I… I'm worried about them."

"As am I," he replied solemnly.

"Will you…" She sniffled slightly, trying to keep what Qui-Gon guessed to be days of unshed tears at bay. "Can you help them?"

At this, he slipped her tiny hand into his large, gentle one. "I will certainly try."

Even if it takes me to my last breath, I'll get to the bottom of this, he vowed, his mind reaching out to his former Padawan, only to find that his mental shields were firmly in place. Of course.

He slid an arm around Ahsoka. "I promise. They will be all right."

As they walked out of the hangar together, Qui-Gon hoped this was a promise he would be able to keep.

Thoughts? :)