Bound

Under Construction

"I didn't think the two had to be exclusive," Mace responded dryly, but when Qui-Gon gave no further reply he gave a sigh and rubbed a hand absently over his bald head.

"As your friend then," Mace answered. Qui-Gon nodded and leaned forward in his seat staring at floor, his elbows resting on his knees.

"I do understand that the hearing had a purpose greater than deciding whether Obi-Wan would be my padawan," he temporized. "But in truth, I'm not sure exactly what happened this morning or at least what was supposed to happen."

"Then it was all an act?" Mace asked, his voice somewhat sharp. The tone of the question did not escape Qui-Gon's attention. His head shot up and he found himself responding with equal heat.

"Of course not!"

"Then why did you do it?" Mace yelled.

"Because Obi-Wan is more important than my pride!" Qui-Gon yelled back. Silence fell as the two masters stared at each other, each breathing heavily yet silently, nostrils flared and jaws tensed. Neither man was able nor willing to break the quiet stalemate, but the option was taken from their hands when the soft hiss of a door sliding open echoed in the quiet space. Qui-Gon looked away from Mace to his padawan.

"Padawan?"

"I'm sorry, Master," Obi-Wan replied his voice somewhat muzzy. He was dressed in his old, worn sleep clothes and his newly cropped hair was as rumpled as the soft fabrics he wore. He stepped forward looking carefully between the High Council member and his master.

"I heard shouting..." he finished softly. Qui-Gon took a moment to consciously release his anger into the Force before speaking. A moment later he could feel Mace doing the same. Qui-Gon crossed over to where Obi-Wan was still standing expectantly.

"I apologize, Obi-Wan. We did not mean to wake you."

"Were you and Master Windu fighting?" Obi-Wan asked. Qui-Gon glanced back at Mace and was met with a faint, wry smile. He turned back to his apprentice.

"We were not... fighting. We were... discussing some matters of importance."

"You discuss awfully loud, Masters," Obi-Wan replied with a grin. Qui-Gon felt the corners of his mouth creep up seemingly on their own accord.

"Imp," the master said as he ruffled the boy's hair affectionately. "All is well here, Padawan and it is quite late. Back to bed with you."

"Yes, Master. Master Windu," Obi-Wan acknowledged with a short bow before returning to his room. As the door to his room shut, Qui-Gon began to speak, but he did not turn around. His gaze remained fixed on the door to his padawan's room.

"He never doubted that I should be his master. Even after everything I said to him, everything that happened to him... He never doubted me."

"We never doubted you either, Qui."

"Would that I believed that," Qui-Gon sighed. "But I fear that even those closest to me had grave doubts... Doubts that I gave them good reason to have."

"You're speaking of Vresh," Mace filled in, but Qui-Gon gave no reply. "You should know that when there were some among the Council who began to doubt, it was Vresh who tipped the scales back in your favor."

Qui-Gon turned around, a single eyebrow raised over his leonine features.

"After what he has said in the past and what took place this morning, I find that difficult to believe."