A/N:

Tipear,

Q:was Qui-Gon's presence responsible for Obi-Wan's dream in some way

A: No, the dream really was a dream.)

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For the next day Dooku was his usual self: strict and obsessed with discipline. And for the next week. And for the next year. That episode with Xanatos seemed like a strange dream: the Jedi had never said about it anything else and always controlled the emotions.

Obi-Wan with a blindfold upon his eyes turned round in the swift precise movement, still holding the ignited lightsaber in his right hand. He had been performing katas for about an hour, alone: Dooku had some business right now, but promised that he would come back to spar later.

Suddenly the blue blade crossed with someone else's lightsaber. Obi-Wan sensed that a man raised strong mental shields, so he couldn't identify him. Dooku wouldn't do that. Maybe, it was one of the Masters? Or another Padawan? Anyway, it was like some kind of a game. Obi-Wan (still with a blindfold) parried the attacks and took offensive actions. Fifteen minutes later Obi-Wan began to realize that he was tired and his opponent was much more experienced. Kenobi gathered all his strength for the final blow, raised the lightsaber… and got pushed on the mat with opponent's weapon near his neck.

"Deathblow," the opponent commented.

Obi-Wan frowned as he was taking the blindfold off.

"That wasn't fair, Master Jinn," he said, offended.

"Come on, Obi-Wan, I wanted to see you abilities. And what would be the best moment if not this one?" Qui-Gon offered him a hand and helped to stand up.

"And do you like them?" Kenobi asked curiously. He had not seen the Jedi Master for about three months: they just couldn't manage to be in the Temple at the same time, both Dooku with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon had been assigned to the different missions.

"You'll be a good swordsman, I'm sure. Dooku did a good job in training you… He's a professional. Besides, how are you?" Jinn asked casually.

"Fine, thanks." Obi-Wan replied, smiling. He clipped the lightsaber to his belt and stretched himself.

"I mean, really, Obi-Wan. Not what you tell the Council out of politeness. I know Dooku as a rather severe Master… And I don't think that his temper has improved mush since my own Apprenticeship."

Obi-Wan attentively and suspiciously looked at Qui-Gon: the Jedi seemed to be sincere.

"Actually, I don't – "

"Greetings, Qui-Gon." Dooku came into the gym and put the heavy cloak on the narrow bench near the wall. "Never expected to meet you here. What are you doing, by the way? Offending my Padawan, huh?" he smirked.

"I sparred with him. I can see a hint of your style. Impressive," Qui-Gon replied, folding his hands.

"But you've won!" Obi-Wan interrupted, frowning.

Dooku approached Kenobi, stared at him for some moments, nodded and asked: "How was the training session?"

"I've done all katas, Master."

"Good. I suppose you can go to our quarters, Padawan. As I see, there's enough sparring for you today," Dooku added, noticing Obi-Wan's sour look. "Don't forget to feed Mari, please."

"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan bowed to Jinn and went away.

"So, what do you want, Qui-Gon?" Dooku asked when they were left alone.

"What do you mean?" Jinn asked suspiciously.

"I mean that we haven't spoken for some months and you have never been really interested in your former Padawan progress. So?" Dooku raised the eyebrow, expecting the answer.

"You just can't make it without your sarcasm, do you?" Qui-Gon said, sighing heavily. "Yes, yes, I'd like somebody to talk with."

"Wait… let me guess. I don't think that you ran into your former Padawan by accident. So, you needed him for something. What can he do? Oh, Jinn, don't tell me that you want to take him back, because it will be too much even for your rebellious nature."

When Dooku returned to his quarters, Obi-Wan was meditating. Mari was lying on the floor and looking at him. Dooku thought that the lizard would never understand why humans knelt on the floor every day and sat motionless with their eyes closed for some hours.

Obi-Wan slightly frowned, acknowledging Master's presence, but didn't move or open his eyes. Dooku made himself a cup of tea and sat in the armchair, waiting. It was the late evening and the last sun lights colored the room into the lovely shades of red.

"You are curious, Padawan," Dooku said in some minutes.

Obi-Wan discontentedly opened one eye and stared at the Jedi.

"Did you sense it in the Force?" he asked curiously, yawning.

"Just a blind guess—it's obvious." Dooku shrugged. "In fact, there is definitely something to discuss."

Kenobi shook his head and sat himself more comfortably.

"This is about Master Jinn," he stated. "He asked about how do I do… strange, considering we didn't talk much."

"That's because he wanted to take you back," Dooku explained.

"A good joke! Wait, am I punished? I've done nothing wrong… well, not considering the last test, I suppose," Obi-Wan added thoughtfully.

"What test?" Dooku asked, narrowing his eyes. He didn't control Padawan's studies, but helped if he was asked. "And Qui-Gon was deadly serious. Sometimes I think Qui-Gon has a hobby—collecting Padawans. As you see, his plan to bring Xanatos back in the Temple failed. The Dark Jedi preferred to kill himself rather than to stay with Qui-Gon. Of course, it was an accident and not the lack of someone's pedagogical abilities. Anyway, I certainly hope he's really dead. If I ever find him alive, I'll fix this."

"Master Jinn was fond of him. He had said that I'd never be as good Jedi as Xanatos was," Obi-Wan added with a sigh.

"Had he meant a Jedi, who betrayed his Order?" Dooku raised the brow. "Besides, about the good Jedi: have you fed Mari?"

Obi-Wan nodded.

"I suppose you have already heard about Tahl's death. She was the one person whom Qui-Gon could completely trust. And she was more than a friend," Dooku added disapprovingly. "We're the Jedi. Attachment itself isn't good or bad, but it's dangerous for the both. Qui-Gon almost turned to the Dark Side. And you know what's happened to my previous Apprentice."

Kenobi was silent.

"I guess, now he feels lonely. The plan to find Xanatos failed, Tahl is dead. Despite his affection to all life forms, he has very few close friends."

"So, Master Jinn would like to take me back?" Obi-Wan asked dumbly. "And what did you say to him? I don't want—" the rest of the phrase trailed off.

"Come on, Obi-Wan!" Dooku hemmed. "You tried so hard to be his Apprentice. You've been dreaming of coming back for some months. Well… you even tried to leave the Order, when Jinn displayed no enthusiasm in bringing you back."

"That was a mistake." Kenobi replied, frowning.

"Think about the chance of being great Qui-Gon's Padawan!" Dooku continued. "Brook would die for this."

"I—I will miss Mari!"

The lizard cocked her head, indicating that she was listening.

"And I still think it's a great chance to learn," the older Jedi said, grinning.

"What have you said?" Obi-Wan asked miserably.

"I told him that if you would like to return, you're free to leave at any moment. Otherwise…" Dooku shook his hand and stood up. "Besides, you're good at making tea and care about Mari. It's shame to lose such a gifted Padawan."

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