Qui-Gon Jinn stepped into the living quarters of the modest apartment he shared with his Padawan and sighed. The Council had just assigned them a new mission, and he knew the boy would be reluctant to leave. His best friend Bant Erin was ill, and Obi-Wan had been sitting by her side in every spare moment. She was almost healed, but Qui-Gon had no doubt she would be with the Healers for at least another week, and he knew Obi-Wan would not want to leave her. With their other best friends Garen and Reeft both off planet, Obi-Wan had been Bant's only constant companion other than her Master, but he knew Mace was more than capable of caring for her.

His musings were interrupted as the door slid open. Standing in front of him was his Padawan, shoulders slightly slumped with exhaustion. Not only was the boy going to regular classes and training with his Master, he was spending every second he could with Bant. Qui-Gon had been supportive of his Padawan's decision, but had told him that he would still be expected to keep up his grades. "Visiting hours over Padawan?" Qui-Gon knew the boy stayed in the healer's ward until they kicked him out every evening, and he also knew how tired these excursions left his apprentice.

"Yeah. Bant is getting better. They think she'll be well enough to go home soon. She actually talked to me today, " Obi-Wan's voice told Qui-Gon far more than his words. The boy was ecstatic about his friend's improvement. Only one short week ago she had been comatose, and no one had been sure if she would even survive. That she had the energy to talk to her friend so soon was nothing short of amazing.

"I'm glad. Obi-Wan, we need to talk," Qui-Gon's voice was cut short by the beeping of the com unit. He wondered as he crossed the room to answer who it could be. Perhaps the Council had changed their minds? Or maybe Bant was worse again. As he answered the call, he was surprised to see Obi-Wan's Galactic History teacher on the line.

"Master Knoels. Can I help you?" Qui-Gon was confused. Teachers generally respected their student's privacy and only called their students Masters if something was seriously wrong.

"I hope so Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan hasn't been turning in any of his work, and he fell asleep in class yesterday. I'm assuming you got the note I sent home with him?" The teacher's voice was pleasant, but it held a hint of annoyance, as if the problems Obi-Wan was having were beginning to wear him out.

"Note? I didn't receive a note. Just a moment, I want to ask my Padawan something," Qui-Gon said. He was becoming more upset by the second. First his Padawan didn't do his homework, and then he hid a note from a teacher? Qui-Gon could scarcely believe it.

Turning around, he looked at Obi-Wan, who refused to meet his eyes. "Padawan, what's this about a note from Master Knoels?" The boy's expression was panicked.
"I erm, well that is I kind of um, well I lost it," Qui-Gon didn't have to be able to see his Padawan's eyes to know the boy was lying to him.

"I suppose there's no harm in me checking your backpack then, just to make sure it isn't there?" Qui-Gon's voice was harsh, and he gave his student no chance to argue. Going into the boy's room, he found his apprentice's backpack. He only had to look for a few seconds to find the note. It was stuffed in the small front pocket, evidently where Obi-Wan had thought no one would find it. Returning to the living room, he held it up.
"It sure doesn't look lost to me. You have a lot of explaining to do Obi-Wan Kenobi. Go to your room while I finish talking to Master Knoels. I'll deal with you later." The boy slumped, defeated, as he walked into his room.

"I'm terribly sorry Master Knoels. I had no idea Obi-Wan wasn't doing his work. You can be sure I'll speak to him about it." Master Knoels easily read the frustration in Qui-Gon's words.

"Don't be to harsh with him Qui. He's just a boy and his best friend is very sick. I'm sure it won't happen again." Bidding the other Master good night, Qui-Gon ended the transmission and walked towards his Padawan's room.

Opening the door, Qui-Gon was greeted with the image of his distraught Padawan sitting on his bed, head in his hands, the picture of dejection. Upon realizing his Master had entered the room, Obi-Wan sprang to his feet. "I'm sorry Master! I truly am." The last part was barely a whisper, but the genuine remorse in his apprentice's voice did nothing to stall Qui- Gon's wrath. Seeing the angry look in his Master's eyes, Obi-Wan cringed, steeling himself for the coming lecture.

"Padawan Kenobi," Obi-Wan flinched at the use of his full title. Qui-Gon only used it when he was very, very angry, "you have a lot of explaining to do. At the moment I'm too angry to deal with you, but I suggest you be working on your History homework when I return." With that, Qui-Gon turned on his heel and walked out of the room.

Once his Master was gone, Obi-Wan sat down at his desk, determined to make headway on the horrific pile of homework he'd been neglecting before his Master returned. Once he sat down to work, he realized he couldn't concentrate. He was too nervous about what his Master might say. He had never ever made Qui-Gon too angry to "deal with him" as his Master had put it. He had seen Qui-Gon yell only once before, but this quiet, rage filled tone was so mush worse. He had PROMISED his Master that he would not allow his grades to suffer so that he could visit Bant. Every night, Qui-Gon had asked him if his homework was done, and his reply was always a dutiful, "Yes Master." Even though nine times out of ten he hadn't even started. Then he had hidden the note, deceiving his Master. Lying and deception were both offenses that warranted dismissal, especially considering how long it had gone on.

Whether or not Qui-Gon dismissed him, he knew without a doubt that he had lost his place in his Master's heart. The only thing that had gotten Obi- Wan through Bant's original sickness had been Qui-Gon's loving comfort, and realizing that his stupidity had without a doubt destroyed his bond with his Master broke Obi-Wan's heart. He had come to think of Qui-Gon as a father of sorts, and the thought of losing his place in his Master's life was more than he could bear. Obi-Wan, overstressed and exhausted from worrying about Bant, was overcome by his grief and remorse. Letting his head fall into his hands, he began to cry.

In the next room, Qui-Gon paced back and forth, unable to control his raging emotions. He couldn't believe what his Padawan had done. Not only had he broken his promise, he'd lied to him every day for at least a month. To top it all off, he'd hidden the note from his History teacher, and then he'd even had the nerve to lie to him about losing it. Stopping suddenly, Qui-Gon forced himself to examine his emotions. Yes he was angry with his Padawan, as well as disappointed and hurt by his actions, but mostly he was angry with himself. He had allowed Obi-Wan to spend all of his free time sitting at his friend's side without noticing how exhausted he was becoming, until the boy was falling asleep in classes and barely had the strength to do anything. Had Master Knoels not called when he had, Obi-Wan might very well have wound up in the healer's along with Bant. Qui-Gon released his anger at himself. He could be guilty later. At the moment he had more important things to deal with, namely his Padawan.

He wasn't angry that the boy had lied to him, only disappointed with his behavior and hurt by his deception. He knew they boy had been overwhelmed, though he had handled it badly. He was angry with his Padawan for pushing himself so far. That was a separate issue, one that would have to be handled delicately, as was the mission he was leaving later that evening. He had decided not to take Obi-Wan with him. He was sure the boy would see it as a punishment, but it wasn't intended as one. Obi-Wan was too weak and too exhausted to go into such a potentially dangerous situation, though he doubted the boy would understand that.

Now he just had to decide what to do about punishing Obi-Wan. If he grounded him, he would have plenty of time for his homework, but he would be able to be with Bant at all. Qui-Gon knew such a forced separation at such a critical time would break the boy's heart. He also knew that if he was away on a mission, Obi-Wan would be tempted to break his grounding and go visit his friend.

Suddenly Qui-Gon had an idea. Picking up the comlink on his bedside table, he punched in the coordinates for his best friend Mace Windu. Not only would Mace be able to keep Obi-Wan in check while he was gone, but Qui- Gon's close friend also happened to be Bant's master. "Qui! What's up? Shouldn't you be packing?" Mace greeted his old friend.

"Mace, I can't take Obi-Wan with me on the mission. Not only is he grounded for lying to me and not doing his homework, but he's spent so much time with Bant that he's completely exhausted. I was wondering if he could stay with you." Qui-Gon didn't hesitate to ask his best friend to baby sit. Mace liked Obi-Wan, and he was sure his friend would take good care of his Padawan while he was away.

"Of course! He really did look tired last I saw him. Have him bring his stuff by my quarters on your way to the loading docks. If he's grounded, is he allowed to visit my Bant at all? You know he's going to want to." Mace hoped Qui-Gon would say yes. His Padawan needed Obi-Wan, who had spent almost as much time at her side as her own Master had since she'd gotten sick.

Qui-Gon thought for a moment. Allowing Obi-Wan to visit her would completely defeat the entire purpose of grounding him, but not allowing him to see her seemed far too harsh, even for such a serious list of transgressions. "He may go visit her, but only for half an hour in the evening, and he needs to be in bed by nine every night. Do you think I'm being to harsh?"

"Depends, do you?"

"I don't know. I love him and I don't want to upset him, but he has to realize he can't go around lying to me. Knowing the history of some small backwater planet could save his life some day, not to mention that I have to be able to trust him. I can't do that if he's lying to me."

"Then I think you're doing the right thing. He screwed up, and knowing Obi, he's beating himself up over it. I know it's hard for you, but sometimes you have to punish him to keep him safe."

"You're right Mace. It doesn't make it any easier. I yelled at him earlier, and I think it really upset him. Should I write down the rules, or can you remember them? "I've got it. He's grounded, can see Bant for half an hour, he can't go anywhere else but classes, and he has to be in bed by ten. Go get ready now. You're ship's leaving in thirty standard minutes." Mace laughed as he ended the communication. He knew it would only take Qui-Gon about five minutes to get packed, but he also knew his friend would want to talk to his Padawan before leaving him.

Qui-Gon packed quickly, taking only a few essentials and a holo of himself and Obi-Wan. All that remained to be done was speak to his apprentice and get him ready. Checking his chrono, Qui-Gon saw that he barely had enough time to get his apprentice packed and shipped off to Mace's before he had to leave. Oh, well. They would be able to talk once he got back. Seeing no reason to stall further, Qui-Gon walked to Obi-Wan's room and knocked softly. "Obi-Wan you need to pack. I'm going on a mission and you're going to stay with Mace. You're grounded until further notice, but you may visit Bant for half an hour every day as long as she's in the hospital." He intended for his voice to be firm but loving, but to the distraught boy on the other side of the door it sounded cold and angry.

Obi-Wan forced himself to get up and get packed. Throwing a couple of extra tunics and his datapad into his backpack, he sighed. His Master had never left him at home when he went on a mission before. If a mission came up and Obi-Wan was unable to go, Qui-Gon refused it. Perhaps he was leaving Obi-Wan behind as a preamble to dismissing him. That had to be it. Qui-Gon was so disappointed he was dumping Obi-Wan, but he wanted to wait to have him kicked out of the Order for Bant to get better, knowing that his presence by her side made things easier for her. In the mean time, Qui- Gon didn't want to get stuck with his failure of an apprentice, so he was going away and dumping Obi-Wan on Mace.

Finished packing, Obi-Wan walked down the hall to the bathroom to get his toothbrush. Looking in the mirror, he frowned when he saw how red his eyes were. He splashed his face lightly with cold water, rubbing a wet washcloth lightly over his eyes in an attempt to decrease the redness. Satisfied that no one would be able to tell that he had been crying, he put his toothbrush in his duffel bag and went into the living room.

"I'm ready Master." His voice caught slightly as he realized he might never again speak to his Master, but he pushed that thought out of his mind. He deserved to be dropped. He'd lied to his Master and abused his trust. The first rule of being a Padawan was to never lie to your Master or hide things from him, and he'd broken it. Over and over again.

Qui-Gon didn't look up from what he was reading on the datapad in front of him. "Just a moment." He was so preoccupied with what he was doing that he didn't hear the tone of Obi-Wan's voice. Had he realized how upset his Padawan was, he would have hugged the boy and told him he was forgiven, but he remained completely oblivious to his Padawan's anguish. Closing what she had been reading, Qui-Gon slipped the datachip out of the machine and into his pocket. Picking up his travel bag, he turned towards the door, knowing his apprentice would follow.

When they reached Mace's quarters, Qui-Gon turned towards his apprentice. "I expect you to be on your best behavior. Mace is doing me a favor by taking care of you, especially on such short notice."

Obi-Wan's answer was quiet, "Yes Master." He might have said something else, or apologized again for lying to his Master, but at that moment the door to Mace's quarters opened.

"Hey Qui. Here to drop your brat off? So Obi-Wan, you've been spending a lot of time with my little girl lately, are you two together?" Mace had sensed the dismal mood his friend was in and had taken it upon himself to make one of them smile before Qui-Gon left. Unfortunately, Obi-Wan took his gentle teasing the wrong way, and answered angrily.

"No we are not together! You..." Obi-Wan would have continued, but Qui-Gon stopped his tirade by placing a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi! I seem to recall having a talk about being on your best behavior less than a minute ago. I don't consider yelling at Master Mace as being on your best behavior," Qui-Gon gave Obi-Wan a long, hard look, "If you don't shape up right now you are going to be very sorry when I get back. Do I make myself clear?" Qui-Gon was shocked at his apprentice's outburst. Rarely had he ever heard Obi-Wan raise his voice, and for him to suddenly yell at a Council member was unthinkable. Qui-Gon made a mental note to work with Obi-Wan on controlling his temper when he returned, then turned to Mace. "I apologize for my apprentices behavior. I truly don't know what is wrong with him lately."

Mace smiled. He hadn't meant to upset Obi-Wan, but he should have known better than to bring up Bant, even in a joking manner. "It's okay Qui, but if you don't leave now you're going to miss your ship. The freighter that's agreed to take you is on a really tight schedule and can't wait around."

"Goodbye Mace. I'll see you when I get back." Picking up his bag, Qui-Gon headed towards the hangar. Mace looked down at Obi-Wan and saw the look on his face. Uh oh. The situation was worse than he had originally thought. The kid looked like a lost puppy. Qui-Gon hadn't even told him goodbye. Of all the things the Master could have forgotten! Mace knew Qui-Gon had never left Obi-Wan behind when he went on a mission, and he knew that the kid missed his Master, but he looked so...abandoned. Like he didn't think Qui-Gon was coming back.