Bound

Under Construction

"It was Vresh's testimony that ultimately swayed things in favor of the Council giving you a chance, Qui-Gon. But know this, the Council never doubted you," Mace continued. "What we doubted was your ability to listen to the wisdom of others. Your ability to hear a voice other than your own for once. Your intention to take Kenobi as your padawan simply provided an opportunity for the Council to address those doubts."

"I am not so intractable or thick-headed as to believe that I am all knowing, Mace. I am as fallible as any Jedi. As any man, for that matter."

"Yes," Mace answered, "but when you've decided on a course of action you think is right you will not be swayed. Sometimes it is strength, but sometimes your narrow focus causes great injury to those around you, your intentions aside."

Qui-Gon took a step forward as he turned over Mace's words in his mind.

"Then... it was all to get me to notice?"

"Yes."

Qui-Gon stood silent for a moment and then nodded.

"Alright, I've noticed. Now what?"

"Now," Mace replied as he rose to his feet. "You do what you do best. You teach."

* * * * *

Sleep found Qui-Gon easily after Mace left his quarters. His mind finally stilled enough to permit rest, though he would have much to meditate on over the next few days. To simply shrug off a lifetime of self-assuredness and reliance in favor of deferring to others was almost unthinkable, but he would have to think about it. The Council obviously thought it was important for him to see this and, hopefully, to change because of it. Qui-Gon may not, perhaps, always trust the Council's judgment, but he did trust the judgment of his friends and both Mace, Yoda, and Vresh had felt yesterday's haranguing was warranted, so he must believe it to be true. It would not be something about himself that he could change overnight, but it was something he would at least consider, if for no other reason than for Obi-Wan's training. The clarity he had experienced briefly in the mines and again in the Council chamber only reinforced what the Force had been trying to tell him all along.

That Obi-Wan Kenobi was meant to become a great Jedi Knight.

That simple, yet powerful revelation had been the reason he had prostrated himself before the Council and it would be what he would return to, to guide him in the future. Care and training for Obi-Wan was his paramount concern and to that end, Qui-Gon had risen early.

He had work to do.

By the time the master had returned to his quarters, the sun was rising on the Coruscant horizon and, unsurprisingly, his padawan was still fast asleep. Qui-Gon placed the box he had been carrying on the low table in front of the couch. He then went to the kitchen to prepare firstmeal for himself and his apprentice. It was only a matter of a few minutes work to assemble a simple meal of Correllian kestrel eggs, fruit, and grain bread. Qui-Gon then set a pot of tea brewing before reaching out across the training bond.

/Good morning, Padawan./

/...?.../

/It is time to wake, Padawan./ Qui-Gon sent and this time he was gifted with an unintelligible mental grumble and the distinct feeling that Obi-Wan had pulled the covers over his head.

/Padawan./

/Five more minutes.../ came the sleepy reply.