Qui-Gon stared at his hand for a long moment, the blood that marred his skin was red with the accusation of his indiscretion. He cast a brief look at Guod who lay stunned on the grass of the Garden, his nose bleeding fiercely; he'd probably broken it. It was only the soft sound that escaped from Obi-Wan that allowed Qui-Gon to refocus his attention on the small boy.

"Obi-Wan." He called the boy's name softly as he leaned in closer to the small form. When he received no recognition of his presence he tried instinctively to reach the boy through their bond, but encountered only a strange frayed link. The damage to their bond was both painful and disturbing to him and he wondered how traumatic it would be for Obi-Wan.

With control gained through years of training, the Jedi Master pushed the pain and discomfort to the side and instead gathered the tattered remains of their fledgling bond and called the boy. :Obi-Wan, can you hear me?: Still the boy gave no response. He had pulled himself too deeply within shields and Qui-Gon was reluctant to break through lest he cause greater damage.

Qui-Gon brushed his uninjured hand over the golden hair and quickly considered his options. He was uncertain whether the Healers would be of any help, but he could not allow Obi-Wan to go unattended. Guod had not only frightened the child, but he had injured Obi-Wan as well. The mind was a delicate organ, and the mind of a Jedi even more so; he only hoped that the other man had not done irreparable damage.

Making his decision, Qui-Gon lifted Obi-Wan into his arms and without a backward glance for the Jedi he had attacked, he left the garden and moved with all speed to the Healers. Qui-Gon resolutely ignored the curious looks of those he passed in the hall and focused his attention solely on the small boy in his arms. He called to Obi-Wan at random intervals, hoping to draw him from his innermost shields, but Qui-Gon had still not managed to make contact by the time he walked through the doors of the Infirmary.

"What happened?" The Jedi Healer Charr'a asked as Qui-Gon swept into the room.

Qui-Gon handed over Obi-Wan with no little reluctance and followed Charr'a as she swiftly placed the boy on a bed. "It was Guod." He said shortly, fighting a sudden rush of anger. "He tried to do something to Obi-Wan, something with our bond. I've tried calling him both vocally and with our link, but he hasn't responded."

Charr'a cast a sharp look at him then spoke as she turned her attention to Obi-Wan. "Take a seat, Jinn, I don't need you going into shock on me." When Qui-Gon opened his mouth to protest, she cut him off and waved indistinctly at the bed. "You can sit here, he isn't that big yet."

Complying with as much grace as he could muster, Qui-Gon sat as close to Obi- Wan as he could then placed a gentle hand on the boy's leg. The contact seemed to ease the pain of the injured bond. "Can I do anything?" He asked, keeping his tone even despite the desperation he was feeling.

"Whatever it is you just did, keep doing that. He's more stable now. I'm going to make a few calls and see if I can't get some others here who are more adept at dealing with this sort of thing." She dropped a hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently. "He's going to be fine, just hang in there."

Qui-Gon waited until she had left the room before he stood again and moved to the head of the bed. He carefully kept one hand on Obi-Wan as he moved until he could sit more comfortably on the bed and pull Obi-Wan into his arms. Running his hand through the golden hair in a soothing, repetitive motion, he rocked the small boy in his arms.

"I'm so sorry Obi-Wan, I should have never left you with him. I should have known." He said quietly as he closed his eyes in anguish and thought of how he had left the boy defenseless with Guod. "I'm sorry, please come back to us. I won't let him ever see you again, just please come back." He wanted to try to contact the boy with his mind again, but he didn't know if it would help or end cause more harm. Instead he murmured steadily in the boy's ear as he rocked him and waited for someone to help them.

"Qui-Gon?" Qui-Gon looked up to the concerned face of Adi Gallia. The presence of the Order's most adept on matters of injuries of the mind calmed him somewhat. If anyone could help them, it would be her.

"Adi." He greeted with relief.

"Charr'a has told me what happened. I'll see if I can help him, though I think I will need your assistance." She said without preamble as she moved closer to them.

Qui-Gon nodded at once. "Whatever you need." He offered without thought.

Adi nodded at him then turned her attention to the boy still in his arms. She placed a hand on his forehead and closed her eyes, in what Qui-Gon thought was an attempt to focus. He watched her intently as the minutes crept by and neither of them stirred. Finally after what Qui-Gon considered far too long, Adi blinked and looked at him.

"I have repaired what I could of the bond on my own, but I need you to work on your end as it has frayed as well. When you have done what you can, I will help you reconnect the ends. I would do it myself, but the boy has already had too many minds in his today. I think it would be best if you would do it." She held his eyes seriously until he nodded.

Qui-Gon drew a breath and concentrated on the bond he had with Obi-Wan. The pain he had pushed aside earlier from the broken bond returned in full force, and he lost his focus for a moment.

:Let it pass through you.: Adi said softly in his mind, her presence reassuring and calming enough to allow him to follow her directions.

He released the pain to the Force the best he could, allowing it to flow through him and focus on the task at hand. When he was calm enough to continue, he carefully, painstakingly began to rebuild and reform the tattered bond. It was difficult and precise work which Adi had to assist him with on occasion, and he was grateful for her help. Distantly, he heard some commotion outside of himself and realized that others had entered the Infirmary but he spared no further thought to his surroundings.

:Now you must go to Obi-Wan and reattach the bond. Only then will you be able to reach him behind his shields without causing him further harm.: Adi told him, her presence strong within his thoughts.

Drawing a deep breath, Qui-Gon followed the bond beyond himself to where it connected to the small boy. He could see through the Force the damage that Guod had inflicted and he was forced to pause and release his anger before he could continue. When he was calm, he very carefully began to mend the edges of their torn link. As he worked, he lost all concept of time and his only reality became his drive to fix their bond and make Obi-Wan whole again.

When he had done all he could, he asked the advice of Adi who had been with him all along. She examined the bond thoroughly before she answered his query. :It's strong enough for you to seek him out now. It'll require more work from both of you before it's as strong as it was, but it's stable for now. I cannot follow you when you seek him out, are you able?:

Qui-Gon paused before speaking and examined himself. He was weary from the work he had done, but it had not been overly taxing. :I will be fine. Thank you, Adi.:

He could see her smile in his mind's eye as she spoke. :I was happy to help, now go find your boy.:

* * *

It was dark and cold. He was all alone and no one knew where he was, and they probably didn't care anyway. He huddled deeper into his corner and wrapped his arms around himself, trying to remember a time when things had been different.

He heard voices calling him sometimes, but they couldn't get through to him. He was too strong here for them to hurt him. Sometimes the voices sounded really nice and worried, but he wasn't fooled. It hurt outside the dark and he was safer where he was. No one could get in. He closed his eyes and slept, safe but so alone.

"Obi-Wan?"

The voice woke him. It was much closer than is should have been, nothing was supposed to get in here. He moved away from the voice, frightened.

"Please Obi-Wan, if you can hear me, please answer me."

He paused, the voice sounded so familiar. It was someone he could trust, maybe? He stayed very still and listened for the other to call again, but did not announce himself.

"Come on, Little One, it's time to come back now. I know he hurt you, and I'm so very sorry. It won't hurt as much when you come back, I promise."

The other sounded very worried, and he almost called out, but stopped as he remembered some of the things that sent him to this place. The hurt, it had hurt so badly. He moved away from the other again.

The other stopped moving and he wondered if he had given himself away.

"Obi-Wan, please come back. I know you are frightened, I know it hurts, but we can make it better. You can trust me, it's Qui-Gon."

He gasped in recognition and launched himself at the other. He latched himself to Qui-Gon with all of his power. "Don't go." He said.

Qui-Gon's presence wrapped around him like a warm blanket. "It's all right, Little One. I'm right here and I am not going anywhere."

"I was so alone." He confessed quietly. "Where were you?"

"I was trying to get to you, Obi-Wan, I've been trying very hard."

They sat together in the darkness for a while before Qui-Gon spoke. "Obi-Wan, it isn't good for you to stay here, I want you to come back with me. Do you think you can do that?"

He shook his head. "Don't want to. It hurts."

"I know it hurt, Obi-Wan, I'm so sorry that happened to you. But we made it better, we worked very hard and made it so it won't hurt. I want us to go back, I can go back by myself, but I won't, not unless you go with me. I won't leave you alone again."

"Promise? He won't hurt me again?"

"Never." Obi-Wan had never heard that tone of voice from Qui-Gon before.

"Can you help me, it's so dark here."

"Of course, Little One, just hold my hand."

* * *

Qui-Gon opened his eyes and held his breath. He thought Obi-Wan had followed him all the way back, but he couldn't be certain until he saw the boy wake. Searching the elfin features, Qui-Gon nearly gasped in relief as twin blue eyes flickered open and looked at him.

"Does it hurt?" He asked the little boy carefully, hoping he hadn't been lying to Obi-Wan.

The small boy shook his head. "Not really, it just feels weird, like it did when it started."

Qui-Gon let out a sigh and brushed his hand across the boy's head. "That's good Obi-Wan, that's very good." He looked up from the child and found he was surrounded by a large group of people. The sight of the Council members was enough to remind him of the pain in his hand.

"Good to have you back it is. Worried we were that you would not return." Yoda said, his large eyes filled with concern.

Qui-Gon looked at him quizzically. "How long--"

"Eight hours, you have been working. Many things considered we have in that time. Speak with you we would when leave the boy you can." Yoda nodded at him and Qui-Gon thought he detected a note of sadness in his former Master.

"Certainly. As soon as it is safe to leave Obi-Wan I will be in your presence." Qui- Gon answered cautiously.

Obi-Wan's small arms tightened around him. "You can't go, you promised." He said softly, though there was a great amount of stress in the boy's voice.

Qui-Gon pulled him closer. "I am not going anywhere just yet. It's all right."

"All right, you have said what you wanted to say, now out. They both need rest." Charr'a directed the Council as a whole, her tone allowing no leeway in her orders.

"She's right, Obi-Wan, I think it would probably be a good thing for you to sleep right now." Qui-Gon said as the others began to file out of the room.

"Not--" He was cut off by a giant yawn. "I'm not tired. And you can't go."

"I won't leave, Little One. But you do need your sleep. It has been a hard day." He brushed his fingertips lightly over Obi-Wan's eyes. "Sleep now. I'll stay right here."

Within moments, the boy was sleeping peacefully and Charr'a returned, her expression deeply concerned. "You've really done it this time. Guod came in not long after you did and then the Council. I don't know how you are going to get out of this one. Assaulting another Jedi is, it's unheard of." Her voice was shocked.

Qui-Gon sighed. "I don't know what I'm going to tell them. I didn't think, I just acted. He hurt Obi-Wan, purposely. It was pure instinct."

"There is no doubt that he was in the wrong, Qui-Gon, he is being censured by the Council as we speak, he may be put out of the Order. But you hit him, Qui-Gon, in the presence of a child. I hope you enjoyed it because I think, if nothing else, it will cost you Obi-Wan." Charra's squeezed his hand and left him to his thoughts.

* * *

Qui-Gon stood outside the Council chambers and waited for them to signal his entry. He had announced his presence well over half an hour ago and still they made him wait. It could have been that they were deep in the middle of some important problem facing the Jedi Order as a whole, but Qui-Gon thought it far more likely that they were making him wait to prove a point. Council members they may be, but there were also very petty and obvious on occasion.

The door to the room opened and Qui-Gon paused before entering. That he should be made to wait for such a length of time did not bode well, no matter what the circumstances. He drew a breath, released his trepidation to the Force and stepped serenely into the Council chamber. He bowed to the assembled Jedi and waited patiently for them to speak.

"How fares the boy, Master Jinn?" Ki-Adi-Mundi asked, his low soft tones conveying his honest concern.

"He is much better now, Master. He is resting and recovering, though it is agreed that he will need counseling to help him understand what happened." Qui-Gon nodded at the councilor's concern, and did not mention that he had had to Force suggest the child into sleep before he could come to the meeting.

"Good it is that he has recovered. Without our consent Knight Guod acted. Disciplined he will be." Master Yoda said quietly, his words drawing the attention of every Jedi in the room.

Qui-Gon nodded knowing where his former Master was heading.

"Other concerns we have for the conduct of our Jedi on that day. Have you anything to add, Master Jinn?" Yoda asked, his knowing eyes pinning his former Padawan in place.

"I am certain that by this time, you know what transpired between myself and Knight Guod in the garden. While I was well within my rights to contest his treatment of the child and to question his methods, my behavior towards Knight Guod is inexcusable. I acted without guidance of the Force, and without thought. I place myself before the Council for your judgment." Qui-Gon spoke slowly and in a measured voice. He had long considered what he would say to the assembly, and after much thought he had concluded that the simple truth was always the best, no matter how it made him appear.

Yoda made a surprised sound. "Seek the judgment of the Council you do." He rapped his gimer stick firmly on the polished floor of the room. "More to the matter there is."

"Not only did you strike another member of the Jedi Order, but you did so in the presence of one of the Creche children. Must we remind you how very impressionable the children are at Obi-Wan's age. Especially considering how much the boy admires you." Plo Koon spoke from across the room.

Qui-Gon nodded and fought his immediate defensive response to reply instead in an even tone. "I understand your concerns, Master however, I would remind you that as a result of the Knight's actions, Obi-Wan was unconscious at the time and did not witness the incident. Several members of the Healer's staff questioned the boy about the events and he remembers very little."

"Not the point that is." Yoda said firmly. "Your name you requested to be considered as a possible master for the boy. Before the Council you stand not one week later in need of defense for your actions."

"We are concerned that you may not be the best choice for the boy." Plo Koon said quietly.

Qui-Gon drew a deep breath. He had been expecting this, though to hear it aloud made his stomach drop painfully. "I understand your concerns, Masters. However, I believe the will of the Force in this matter is clear. The very fact that Obi-Wan and I have developed a bond should speak to you."

"Ah yes, the bond." Mundi spoke again. "We find that position difficult as well. While it is obvious that the bond you share is strong, we feel that the many instances where you have been involved in the endangering of the boy's life speak for themselves as well. The Force is often difficult to understand and the patterns we see are not always as clear as they seem."

"We also find that through this incident, the bond is again at an unstable development. Should you not be allowed to be master to the boy, it will no longer be as traumatic for the bond to be broken." Koon gazed at him passively as though daring him to object to his statements.

"Difficult we do not wish this to be. Undecided we are at this time as to the matter of your place as the boy's master. Much more thought is needed before reach a decision we do." Yoda seemed particularly disturbed, it was nothing a casual observer or even most Jedi would pick up on, but Qui-Gon had been his padawan for many years and could read his former Master better than nearly anyone living. "However, punished you must be for your act of violence against another member of the Jedi."

"Master Qui-Gon Jinn," Mundi said formally. "The Jedi Council will now decree your punishment, will you accept our judgment?"

Qui-Gon nodded his head. "I bow before the wisdom of the Council." He said evenly, though his stomach was twisted in painful knots.

"You will spend four hours in meditation daily on how best to direct your emotions in difficult situations. You will meet once a week with at least one member of the Council other than Master Yoda to confirm that you are progressing well. You will be examined at the end of a month's time to determine your ability to conduct yourself properly. Should this report come out favorably, you will be able to return to your current status though we will require a similar exam at the end of every six month period for the next year. Do you accept?"

Qui-Gon nodded silently though inwardly he was seething. It was not so much a punishment as an abject humiliation. Still, it was far better than he had been expecting. "Yes, Masters."

"More there is, Master Jinn." Yoda said quietly, again sadness marking his eyes. Qui-Gon looked at him sharply, though it was Plo Koon who spoke.

"In regards to your status with the boy, several elements must be taken into consideration. We will not ask you to cease all contact with Obi-Wan Kenobi, as it would punish him as well and he is an innocent in the matter. However, you will no longer be allowed to meet with the boy without the supervision of another Jedi at all times. In addition, your place on the list of Masters who would take him as Padawan is under review. You may not proceed with any of the preliminary work the other Masters are involved in until such time as we deem it appropriate. You may not conduct any work with the boy in the matter of the bond until it is approved by the Council. Failure to meet any of these provisions as set by the Council will immediately forfeit any chance you have to be the boy's master. Do you accept the conditions?"

TBC