Qui-Gon dropped heavily onto the couch in Yoda's apartment, closing his eyes for a moment.

"Difficult, that was."

Qui-Gon scrubbed a hand over the stubble on his cheeks. "Yes. I wasn't expecting that."

His former Master crossed the room slowly, leaning on his stick until he reached his chair and sat down. "Hard it is, some days with children. Unpredictable, they are."

He allowed himself a small smile. "Speaking from experience, Master?"

Yoda frowned at him, but Qui-Gon knew he was hiding a smile himself. "Met three times we have. Made some progress, yes. But frustrated Obi-Wan is becoming. Allowing him to use the bond, we are, but allowing it to grow we are not. Problem this will be."

Qui-Gon cupped his chin in his hands. "I knew he was upset today when he left. This is becoming a lot more complicated than I thought, Master."

Grunting softly, Yoda shut his eyes and the two sat in silence for several moments. The diminutive Master took a deep breath and then spoke, opening his eyes slowly. "Continue this way, we cannot. Thought I did we could help Obi-Wan this way, but too strong is he." Yoda cleared his throat. "Needs a Master, the boy does."

Qui-Gon dropped his hands, leaning forward. "Master, he's barely five."

"Taken at five Padawans are. Took you young I did," Yoda said, scratching his chin.

"But are you sure that's the best answer to the problem? Maybe we just need to work together more, or perhaps--"

"Bonded to you the boy is. But trouble this will be if his Master you are not. Wasting time we are working with him now. Need to bond him to his Master, we do."

Qui-Gon felt his old Master's penetrating gaze rest on his face. "Time, it is. Decide whether you will speak for Obi-Wan you must."

Qui-Gon let out all the air in his lungs through his mouth, meeting Yoda's heavy look. "You want me to decide right now?" He was surprised at the urgency in his voice as he spoke.

Yoda raised his eyebrows. "Uncertain, are you? Sure you must be before you speak for him."

"I understand that, Master," he said, rubbing his callused palms together. "But I believed that Obi-Wan and I would have more time to work through this bond before I had to make that decision."

Yoda pointed a green finger in his direction. "Work through the bond you should only if you are Master and Padawan. Too strong in the Force is he now to develop your bond and then develop another later. Hurt him, it will."

Qui-Gon drew back, cringing slightly. "If you believe Obi-Wan is ready for a Master, then I must defer to your judgement."

"Agree with me you do. Know you too well, I do," Yoda said, resting his hands on his stick. "But know what you will do now, I do not."

Qui-Gon looked up at the wrinkled face that had brought him through the Jedi Temple through Knighthood, searching for an answer in his passive expression. "Master, do you think I should speak for the boy?"

"Hmmf. Ask me you should not. Trust the Force you should. Meditate on this you should, and decide you will."

Qui-Gon nodded and stood slowly. "When do you intend to make the announcement?"

Yoda eased himself down from his chair, leaning on his stick. "Give you two days, I will. Then announce Obi-Wan's name I will to the Masters."

Qui-Gon bowed. "Thank you, my Master. I appreciate your time and counsel."

Yoda chuckled, following behind Qui-Gon as he walked to the door. "For you, both I have."

***

"Obi-Wan's going to be taken? So soon?"

Qui-Gon sat across from Bel-San in his friend's apartment, moving a large stack of interanthropology data-disks aside from the table with his toe. He looked down at the disks, and then flicked his gaze up to Bel-San's face. "What are you doing with these? Shouldn't you be reading up on teaching strategies?"

"Don't even think about it. You're trying to change the subject, but it's not going to happen." Bel-San's curly hair fell forward on his temples, and he raked it back behind his ears. "The boy is too little. He's not ready yet."

"Yoda would disagree with you," Qui-Gon said, blowing on the tea he held between his palms.

Bel-San's face was drawn. "It's because of the bond, isn't it? A child that's already establishing mindlinks with Jedi is advanced enough to be taken as a Padawan."

"It would seem so."

Bel-San shifted in his seat, and Qui-Gon met his gaze. "So what are you going to do?"

He paused to take a drink of the hot liquid before he spoke, burning his tongue in the process. "I think," he began, "I am going to speak for him."

Bel-San's eyebrows raised as he shifted again. "I wasn't sure you were going to say that."

"Why? Because of Demeron?"

Bel-San shrugged. "I don't know. I just wasn't sure you wanted this." His voice suddenly became quiet, and Qui-Gon felt the tension in his tone.

He set down his cup, sighing. "Weren't you the one that first suggested I take him as a Padawan? You've been calling him "my boy" for months, and now you suddenly have reservations?"

Bel-San looked up, his gaze steady. "I'm not attacking you. I just said I was surprised. After what happened with Demeron, I thought�"

"Demeron is my friend, but this is different. This is about what's right for Obi-Wan."

"Exactly," Bel-San broke in, nearly knocking over his cup as he swept his hand in front of him. "This is about Obi-Wan. And the question is, who is the right Master for him." Bel-San sighed, then took a breath. "Listen, Qui-Gon, I know that you love the kid, and I know you have a bond forming with him, but that may not mean that--"

"What are you saying?" Qui-Gon interrupted, trying to contain his frustration. "You said all along that this was what I needed, that I needed to take another Padawan, and now I decide I want to do it, but you've suddenly changed your mind?"

Bel-San looked away for a moment. "You could be the right Master for him. But you're not thinking like the Council right now, and they're the ones that will decide what's right for him. Think about the fact that less than two cycles ago you broke Jedi protocol and shared strength with a child. Think about the fact you were badly wounded while alone on a routine mission. Think about the fact Obi-Wan almost died."

"I think about that every day," Qui-Gon snapped. "I knew the risks, and I took them. But I saved that boy's life from kilabis. I saved him from the fire. I saved his life, and yours, on Destricore. But that's not what this is about. He is bonded to me, and that's what matters."

Bel-San rubbed a hand over his temples, stretching the skin on the side of his head. "I know. I told you before that I would support you, and I still do. But I think you need to consider what's going to happen if you speak for him and you don't get chosen. Think about the impact that could have on him."

Qui-Gon folded his hands, sitting back in the chair. A tight band of tension had formed around his head, and he blinked to clear his vision. "Think about the impact if I don't."

"If you don't, then Demeron is going to get him. He's got the track record and he's ready for it."

Qui-Gon bit his lip for a moment. "And if I speak? What then?"

"I don't know," Bel-San answered quietly. "It depends on the Council. But I say this as a friend who won't lie to you." Qui-Gon looked up to meet his friend's gaze. "I don't think you're going to get him."

Making his hands into fists, Qui-Gon swore, moving to his feet. He started pacing, avoiding the piles of clutter on Bel-San's floor. "You know, sometimes I wonder if the Council even consults the Force anymore. They just choose their favorite pets and place them accordingly, like chess pieces."

Bel-San made a move to stand. "You're just angry now. You're not thinking clearly."

"I'm not angry!"

The other Jedi got to his feet. "I think you should do what you feel is right, what the Force is directing you to do. But don't forget that things will be very different for both of you regardless. Kids are lots of fun when they're not yours. But once Obi-Wan has to answer to you as a Master--practically as a parent--you're getting into new and uncertain territory."

"You've never had a Padawan, but now you're telling me what it's like?"

Qui-Gon heard the words come out of his mouth, and he paused mid-step. He sighed, releasing his anger to the Force. "I'm sorry, Bel-San." His voice was quiet.

Bel-San's gaze rested on the floor, but he looked up to meet Qui-Gon's. "I think you need to meditate on this some more. You know where I stand."

Qui-Gon sighed, letting his hands fall to his sides. "I'm sorry."

Bel-San waved a hand in the air. "I'm your friend, not the Council second chair. You don't need to apologize. Just go and figure out what you need to do."

***

Qui-Gon knelt in the center of one of the smaller, less popular Gardens, taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly. He reached out for the Force, drawing on its calming power to soothe his frazzled spirit. After spending most of the past two days in meditation, he had spoken for Obi-Wan this morning in front of the Council. He knew that he'd made the right choice; he knew the Living Force was prompting him in this direction, but he had no idea how the Council would handle the decision.

Opening his eyes, he turned to relieve the pressure on his knees and sat cross-legged on the carpet of grass in the Garden. His ears filled with the quiet sound of water running through rocks, almost like distant music. He smiled, just slightly. He had come to a place where he never thought he would be again, and he marveled at the strange paths his life had taken. Qui-Gon reached out with his mind to feel the bond between himself and Obi-Wan, lightly sensing it as a tongue probes a new tooth.

He ran his hand over the grass, digging his fingers into the green growth. If he wasn't chosen to be Obi-Wan's Master, they would have to cut off the bond. He knew this in his mind, but he couldn't imagine it. After having the boy's presence in his head, it would seem vacant if it were to vanish. Like when Xanatos left, he thought sadly. I don't know what would happen to me then. But Obi-Wan was nothing like Xanatos; they were as different as two children could be. Qui-Gon stretched his shoulders, surprised at their stiffness. He checked his chrono; he had no idea he'd been in the Garden for nearly three hours.

As he sat, a thready movement passed through the bond he shared with Obi-Wan. The boy was close; perhaps even in one of the adjoining Gardens. He prepared to answer back the nudge when a slick stab of fear passed through from the boy.

"Obi-Wan?" he said aloud, forgetting the child wasn't there.

He reached out with his mind, trying to feel the boy's signature. A tremor came; Obi-Wan was afraid of something.

:Obi-Wan, are you all right?: he mindspoke.

No answer came. Qui-Gon sighed; part of the problem he and Yoda had been dealing with was Obi-Wan's reluctance to use mindspeech. He had the capacity to do it, but he somehow seemed afraid to use it. Qui-Gon moved to his feet, brushing off bits of grass from his tunic and pants.

:Obi-Wan, can you answer me? Where are you?:

Still nothing came. Qui-Gon walked quickly out of the Garden, trying to follow the boy's signature to where he was. Letting the bond and the Force direct him, he walked through the complex system of Gardens, passing through the great archways outside the Main Garden, and through hallways lined with fountains.

:Obi-Wan?:

The thread of fear was growing thicker; Qui-Gon could feel the tug through his mind, and then sensed the child's shields go up. He quickened his pace; something was scaring the child to a serious degree.

He ran up a flight of wide steps to the next level, into the Upper Gardens, where only the Masters and Knights were allowed to meditate. Qui-Gon felt his heart speed up, bumping against his ribs. Obi-Wan shouldn't be up here. He skidded around a corner, nearly knocking into two older Masters. He apologized as swiftly as possible, and then resumed his chase. Obi-Wan was growing closer, but his fear was nearly palpable now.

Finally, he came to one of the smaller, private Gardens and he sensed the boy's presence inside. There was the presence of another as well, but the signature wasn't familiar to him. He tried to reach the child once more before entering.

:Obi-Wan, I'm here. What's wrong?:

The bond seemed to flutter for a moment, and then Qui-Gon barely heard the slightest whisper of response. :Help.:

Qui-Gon ran through the entryway, passing through the arched gate. He found himself in the middle of a circular Garden, where ferns and flowers grew up the walls and over trellises throughout the landscape. Looking off to the right, he saw Obi-Wan's tiny form standing beneath a tree with another figure.

"Obi-Wan!" he shouted, running over to where they stood. He saw the white roundness of Obi-Wan's eyes flash in the shade of the tree, and then saw the eyes of the other Jedi.

He came to a halt, crossing his arms over his chest. "Master Guod. I don't believe Obi-Wan is supposed to be in this Garden."

Guod adjusted his robes over his shoulders. "I don't think that you have any sort of authority on this child. You're not his Master, and I am with him on official Council business. You need to leave now; I am not to be interrupted by other Jedi."

"What business could you possibly have with Obi-Wan?"

"Master Ki-Adi-Mundi asked me to investigate the extent of the child's bond and to see how far it has developed."

"What do you have to do with that?" Qui-Gon asked, feeling the coldness in his own voice.

Guod cocked his head. "Perhaps if you paid better attention to those of us who actually stay at the Temple, you'd know that mindlinks are part of my study and specialty. I have been asked to see about possible removal."

Qui-Gon reached out a hand to Obi-Wan, and the boy took a step towards him, his eyes wide.

"Don't do that, Qui-Gon. This is not your affair. This is in the Council's hands now, and I am only doing as they asked." A smile curved his oily lips.

Qui-Gon let his hand remain. "These are not matters to be discussed in front of certain parties. Send Obi-Wan back to Heri and we can talk."

"You are interfering with Council business, and if you persist, I am going to have to report your actions as insubordinate."

Obi-Wan moved out from underneath Guod's gaze and Qui-Gon felt the boy's hand wrap tightly around his. "I am not interfering. Obi-Wan contacted me through our bond and I came to see what was wrong. I could sense he was afraid, and now I know why."

Guod flashed him a dark look. "You may have put your name in, but you're not going to get this. You've got too itchy of a trigger finger; everybody knows it. Removal is inevitable."

Qui-Gon drew Obi-Wan closer, and the child clutched his leg. "Master Yoda said that was not a possibility."

"Master Yoda is not the Council. Ki-Al-Mundi is second chair, and he asked me to do this." Guod crossed his arms over his chest, mimicking Qui-Gon's stance. "You have three seconds to leave this room, and the child, or I will report you to the Council for obstruction of their orders," he snapped. "And then you'll have no chance. It's your choice, Qui-Gon."

Qui-Gon felt as though his lungs were burning. He looked down at the small elfin face peering up at him imploringly, and he looked back to see Guod's self-satisfied expression and his hands ticking off the seconds.

"You win, Guod."

He sighed, stooping down to Obi-Wan's level. "It's going to be all right, Obi-Wan. I'm here, and I'll be right outside if you need me."

Obi-Wan opened his mouth to say something, but Guod roughly jerked the child by the shoulders away from Qui-Gon. "Get out," Guod barked, pointing towards the door.

Giving Obi-Wan the most apologetic look he could muster, Qui-Gon moved slowly away towards the center of the Garden and back out the archway. He passed under the threshold, and then leaned back against it, sighing. He couldn't understand why the Council would use a Jedi like Guod, who had never been around children, to be the one to investigate the mindlink. Even if it was his specialty, it seemed odd that Guod would be allowed a private audience with the child. Qui-Gon chewed his lip, breathing quickly. He reached out to the Force for reassurance, but he could only feel Obi-Wan's tremors of uncertainty lapping back from the chamber.

A shrill cry suddenly rang through his mind, slicing through his concentration. He winced, holding his temple. He raised his shields in order to clear his thoughts, and he reached out through the bond again. Obi-Wan was screaming in his mind.

Qui-Gon ran back through the entryway into the Garden, charging across the grass to where Guod stood over Obi-Wan's prostrate form.

"What are you doing?" Qui-Gon shouted, racing over to kneel beside the boy.

"I told you to get out! I am reporting you to the Council, and you are never going to be this boy's Master!"

Qui-Gon shook his head. "The Council never asked you to do this. They promised me they wouldn't perform any sort of removal on him."

Guod sneered. "They're going to have to do it anyway. I needed the information for my research. The Council agreed that this case would make a good study for me."

A wave of adrenaline surged through Qui-Gon's veins as he stood. "You were using Obi-Wan as an experiment? Without the Council's permission?"

"It's only a matter of days before they get rid of this bond themselves. After that it won't matter anymore," Guod said, his eyes locked with Qui-Gon's.

Qui-Gon didn't even realize he was throwing the punch until he felt the impact of his knuckles slamming into Guod's cheekbone. The shorter Jedi reeled, spinning like a gyroscope until he fell to the ground beside Obi-Wan. He let out a groan, and then did not stir.

Dropping to his knees again, he ran a shaking hand over Obi-Wan's forehead, sensing his signature. The boy had pulled back far inside himself, barring his mind behind the most sophisticated barriers that he could produce.

:Obi-Wan, it's me. It's all right now.:

No response came, but he saw the child's eyelids flutter. Smoothing a hand over the child's hair, he noticed the blood on his knuckles. He stifled a gasp. He had assaulted another Jedi.

TBC