A/N: CAL, hagadoe, thanks for reading, here's the new chapter! Hope, you'll enjoy it.

Obi-Wan was running through the Temple. If somebody asked, he would say that he was hurrying to the Healers (besides, the burn on the hand was still painful) or it's about the mission… Suddenly he stopped and decided it would be the best to walk casually, in order to avoid unnecessarily attention at all. All thoughts about foolishness of this "escape" were ignored.

It wasn't too hard—to get out of the Temple. Obi-Wan thought that he should appreciate this fact, but he suddenly felt quite unsure. Subconsciously, he expected somebody to stop him, to prevent from doing this… but there was nobody. Maybe, that's really was the will of the Force?

Soon, he left the Temple area.

Then he ran, not bothering to understand, where. After an hour or two (he left both his wrist chrono and comlink in the Temple) of aimless wandering through Coruscant levels, Obi-Wan knew that he was far enough not to be spotted by the Jedi—even they didn't often visit lowest levels, it was too dangerous and risky.

The evening fell too quickly; it was dark, possibly, because of sky, full of black clouds. Soon the rain was drenching the streets. At first, Obi-Wan didn't pay any attention to water (he was a Jedi Padawan, after all), but he soon realized that he had no dry clothes or a warm place to rest. So he decided to find an awning or something like that. As ill luck would have it, there was nothing—absolutely nothing, even a hotel. Well, the last could be at least expected—who would like to stay in the area like this and locals didn't have enough credits. Besides, Kenobi had a very small sum of money with him to stop at expansive hotels on the upper levels. There was nothing for him but walk further; if he didn't find a place to hide, then, at least, he would keep himself warm.

It was completely dark outside; locals almost disappeared from the streets—not only because of the rain, but away from dangerous people—lower levels were full with criminals of all kinds. Obi-Wan wondered if somebody would mourn him, if he vanished here. Not Qui-Gon, certainly, not Dooku, not members of the Council. Yoda, maybe, would move his long ears, with sad expression upon his green face… Friends would miss him… perhaps. Suddenly Obi-Wan stopped in the middle of the street and said to himself that he wouldn't give all of them this pleasure—he would survive! They would hear of him!

"Fool!" Male Zabrack on the black speeder cried. He deviated sharply to avoid the human boy and cursed in his language. Obi-Wan was lucky, but he fell on the stone, hardly hitting his back. Of course, the driver disappeared, why should he be bothered with somebody except himself?

Obi-Wan rose up, sighing and rubbing his sore back. Maybe, the survival on his own would be more difficult than he had expected. Then he felt somebody's attention. All his Jedi senses screamed that the stranger was looking for him. Obi-Wan's bravado abruptly disappeared and he wanted to hide himself. He was sure that a man didn't want to say hello or help.

He started to run as fast as he could, though he was already tired. Across one street, another one… He stopped near the old abandoned storehouse, surrounded by the low wall. Most likely, the stranger was left behind. And this building could provide at least the roof under his ginger-haired head. Obi-Wan gathered himself up, jumped, and tried to climb over the wall. It's quite difficult: concrete was wet and the boy slipped down, grazing his bare hands. When he almost managed to get over, he realized that somebody grabbed him by his cloak and pulled down.

He looked over his shoulder and saw a very tall figure in the dark clothes. Obi-Wan wanted to disappear, jumped up again—but the stranger was faster and grabbed the boy by the collar. The grasp was too firm, though Obi-Wan still dodged and kicked to get free. The man smacked him on the back of his head, rather painfully, and pressed to the wall. The stranger unclipped something metallic from his belt; Obi-Wan thought it could be a vibrodagger. His second thought was about his absolutely defenselessness: he had no weapon and he was too tired to fight.

"I have nothing!" he managed to wheeze. He gave up all pretense of fighting.

"Nothing in your head, Kenobi!»

The voice was very familiar. The sudden gust removed the hood from stranger's head. Master Dooku let his (former?) Padawan go and activated metal electric torch, lightening the area.

Jedi took the dry cloak from his sack and handed it to Kenobi, who accepted it silently.

"Nobody needs ill Padawan," Dooku admitted sinisterly.

Obi-Wan thought that nobody needed a Padawan like him at all, especially, after what he had done now. Well, he had had a chance to run away, but he failed. Now Obi-Wan's escape just didn't make any sense. Now he would surely be banished from the Order, disgraced.

"To the Temple!" Dooku commanded, interrupting boy's thoughts. Obi-Wan had nothing to do but obeyed. The Jedi walked behind him, lightening the way through the dark street.

Obi-Wan was totally crestfallen. Now he didn't know what to expect. What would the Council say? He was given another chance, another Master (and quite a mighty one!), he was forgiven after what he had done on Melaida/Daan and he ruined everything himself. Maybe, they could understand the whole situation with Bruck, but this "escape"? No good. Most likely, they would not speak with him personally—just send a message. Perhaps, he wasn't good enough to be a farmer, too. Where would he go then? His real training just started… Well, Coruscant (like other planets) was full of rogues and bandits of all kinds, but Obi-Wan even didn't consider such options.

Now this stupid idea about "escape" seemed more and more foolish.

Nobody noticed Obi-Wan and Dooku's arrival in the Temple: partly because it's late and the Jedi were sleeping or meditating; partly because there was nothing unusual in Master/Padawan pair, returning from somewhere, a mission, perhaps. Obi-Wan tried to keep pace with older Jedi's long strides, hurrying not to remain behind.

They stopped in front of Dooku's quarters ("Of course, Master would not drag me to the Council right now—it's too late!" Obi-Wan thought. "Well, on the second thought, I won't see Mace Windu twice this day."). Dooku came in and nodded his most unlucky Padawan to do the same. The older Jedi put his wet cloak on the hook behind the door and looked at the hesitating boy, who was standing near the door.

"Wipe your feet," he said peevishly. "And change your clothes, please."

Obi-Wan took off his wet cloak, wiped muddy boots, and put them near the door to dry. Then he slipped into his room as quietly as he only could, trying not to annoy Dooku even more.

He found a dry tunic and boots and got dressed. After he finished, Obi-Wan realized that he didn't want to come out and face Master Jedi. What would he say now? To be honest, it's all Kenobi's fault. Now, in addition to the incident with Bruck, Obi-Wan also tried to "run away"! Well, if Dooku decided to punish him, he would be within his rights. So, there was no choice—if Obi-Wan tried to postpone the moment, it'd be even worse for him. He clenched his teeth and pushed the door.

Dooku was comfortably sitting in one of two leather armchairs, Mari was beside him. To all appearances, they were chatting and the lizard understood her Master. In any other moment Obi-Wan would find it funny, but right now he had other concerns. Old-fashioned chrono on the wall was twinkling ominously in the darkness of the dimmed light. Obi-Wan shivered and seated himself in another armchair. Why to delay the inevitable?

"So, will you care to explain me what the hell were you doing there?" Kenobi even could not imagine his Master to be so angry, but Dooku almost immediately calmed himself down and asked quite peacefully: "Well, I think I already know the answer, so tell me, how far you intended to run away?"

"I—I," Kenobi paused. It was foolish to deny anything; besides, he had enough problems for today and didn't want to get even more for lying. "I didn't really know, of course. Somewhere, far from here." The sudden cough interrupted his lame explanation. "Sorry, Master. I just—"

"Cough… the logical end of your stupid walk," Dooku muttered. "What an honesty! "Far from here"! Tell me, Padawan, don't you have enough problems? Couldn't you find a moment with dry and warm weather, at least?"

Obi-Wan was distracted. He expected scolding about Bruck, about violating the Code… The answer was too stupid even for him:

"Master, I didn't know about the heavy rain, I swear!" He sniffed.

"And what about credits, comlink, and food?" Dooku shrugged. There was condemnation in the stare of Mari.

Obi-Wan looked down guiltily and almost automatically answered: "I'd be better the next time, I promise!" Then he realized what he had just said and looked at the Jedi in awe.

"Let's think, Padawan of mine. Maybe, it's your extraordinary bad luck or just your stupidity, I don't know. Look at what we have: some weeks ago you left the Order. Fine, you're young and made a mistake, but then you realized it; you're forgiven and the Council gave you the second chance with a new Master. Today Mace Windu told me about your fight with… Bruck, correct?"

Obi-Wan nodded, sniffing again. Now he had no doubts that he had caught a cold.

"You even didn't care to tell me anything."

"I am sorry, but I was provoked! And will you listen to me and not to Bruck? After… after Melida/Daan?" Obi-Wan suddenly yelled.

"Easy, Padawan. Did I say anything particular? No. Considering what I have heard about Padawan Bruck, he is not a smart guy and he has much anger in him, that's why he is not chosen yet… But we're speaking of you. You understood that this fight would bring you much trouble. You could find a better place where no one could notice you or, at least, call somebody!" Dooku stoked Mari and continued. "Your run away failed. Couldn't you organize it better? Take more useful things, not just a tube of the toothpaste—for breakfast, I suppose? Haven't you been on missions? You should know some elementary things! Maybe, you want to return to the Agricorps? Then, just say it, please, I'll tell the Council. I'll find a better Apprentice who'd be able to manage with his own escape!"

Obi-Wan was miserable: Dooku was right.

"Ma-a-aster!" he almost cried, his nerves began to give. "Please! *Cough* I didn't want— *Cough* that was a mistake, I know! I'm sorry." He finished sadly. Should he say anything more to this severe Jedi in front of him? Most likely, he had already contacted Mace Windu and tomorrow Obi-Wan would head to a distant planet to grow flowers.

"Oh, I see, how you want to be a Jedi," Dooku hemmed. He was standing near the pathetic Apprentice, towering above him. "Stay here!" The Jedi headed to his room.

Obi-Wan wanted to disappear; he had no idea what Dooku planned to do. Due to Qui-Gon's stories he was not too sentimental person, what also made him one of the best Jedi in the Temple. Maybe, he didn't speak much now, just because he didn't want to waste his time on already expelled Padawan? Obi-Wan looked at the lizard, puzzled. She narrowed her beady eyes and angrily hissed at him.

Dooku returned with first-aid set and handed a bottle of dark glass to Obi-Wan then ordered him to drink it. The liquid was too bitter and Obi-Wan frowned.

"Trying to get rid of me by poisoning?" He asked, not thinking.

Dooku shook his head and said: "Maybe, I'd better send you back to Qui-Gon."

Obi-Wan drank the remains silently. He felt the he was breathing more easily.

"Thank you," he said quietly.

"I always considered myself as not such a bad mentor," Dooku admitted. "Why have you done this?"

Obi-Wan was silent.

"Well, you don't want to speak with me, then you will have to tell it to the Council." Dooku paused and looked at him strictly. Obi-Wan lowered his head: so now the rebuke would come…

"Do not worry. I won't tell Master Windu or anybody else." The Jedi suddenly said. "I have the sense of humor too… What's about your hand?" The Jedi took a bacta patch and helped to apply it.

Later Obi-Wan discovered that Dooku was furious at Master Windu, who had helped Bruck and ignored his Padawan.

"Now, go to sleep. We'll discuss the rest tomorrow… Wait!"

Obi-Wan paused. What else had he done wrong?

"Did you beat this Bruck?" Dooku asked curiously. Obi-Wan guiltily nodded.

"Good." The older Jedi stood up (Mari was on his shoulder) and headed to his room. Obi-Wan followed his example and went straight to bed.

He had much to think about... But he didn't notice when he fell asleep.

Review, please! Shall we continue?