Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Star Wars world, I just like to borrow. And I always give characters back, in one piece, er… sorta.

Title: Convergence

Author: Shanny, aka, The Mad Maiden of Angst (I love ya always Red!)
Timeframe: JA Era. Obi-Wan - 19
Characters: Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn
Genre: Angst; Action/Adventure

Summary: Obi-Wan is plagued with disturbing dreams and must struggle to remain focused when he and Qui-Gon are called away on a dangerous mission. When visions turn to nightmares and nightmares to reality, who's to say where one ends and one begins?

Author's Note: Well, I'm mainly an anime and LotR's writer, but every so often I like to branch into something different. I've become a big Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan fan, but am still fairly new to the whole Pre-Star Wars writing 'verse. So you'll just have to bear with me while I learn of Jedi as I go. As most of the LotR's fans know, once I get the story going I have a knack for the suspense, so if that bothers you in a story, you've been forewarned.

Note 2: - Star Wars - Indicates conversation by way of training bond.

Italics – Without the " - " indicates thoughts.

Prologue

There is no emotion; there is peace.
There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.
There is no passion; there is serenity.
There is no chaos; there is harmony.
There is no death; there is the Force.

It was mid-morning at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. High above the temple grounds speeders raced by, the flow never seemed to cease on this busy city world. But below at the temple the bustle of the planet seemed to be left far behind, except for the occasional late youngling or padawan that found themselves hurrying through the temple grounds.

Senior Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi tucked his hands in his robe as he made his way to the temple's Training Hall. When and where this new habit had started he couldn't remember, but he noticed himself doing it more and more all the time. It was a habit, he noticed, many of the elders practiced and supposed it had unconsciously rubbed off over the years, such were the nuances of growing up, he thought with amusement. One more thing for the junior padawans to gossip about, as if he was oblivious to their furtive behavior. Obi-Wan took it all in good stride though; he himself was guilty of the same thing at their age.

That thought almost made Obi-Wan stop and chuckle to himself. He was to turn 20 in a month, as if he had the right to make the "when I was young" speeches yet. After all, he was only about a third of Master Qui-Gon's age, and even his enigmatic master couldn't compare in age to someone like Master Yoda. But, despite his master's insistence that he was indeed, a brat, Obi-Wan was aware of just how much he had matured during the past eight years under Qui-Gon's instruction. He had learned to control his anger and direct it to other more useful practices. And that in itself allowed him to excel far above his peers in studies, 'saber practice, and apprenticeship. He had come a very long way from the angry, hotheaded boy of his youth and he could tell his master was pleased by his development, which in turn, pleased Obi-Wan.

Speaking of masters and being hotheaded, Qui-Gon was not going to be very pleased if he were late for their sparring practice, so Obi-Wan picked up the leisurely pace he hadn't realized he dropped to. It was never good to start a physical duel with someone more masterful then yourself on their bad side, practice or not. Obi-Wan enjoyed the rare time they found to duel. As he got older and his skills progressed the Council sent him and his master out on more and more missions. It was becoming harder to find the time for such leisurely; you-don't-have-to-fight-for-your-life, kind of exercises. Obi-Wan was also aware that the other padawans and students who happened to be in the training area enjoyed watching them spar as well. What he at first found odd was that their masters usually let them stop to watch, but had long sense gotten used to the audience.

Obi-Wan entered the training hall right on time to find, not surprisingly, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn waiting for him. Obi-Wan quickly glanced around his surroundings out of habit. Another trait he had picked up, but he knew whom that had come from. Master Qui-Gon had all but drilled it in his head to take note of his surroundings. A Jedi's life could depend on such small details, he had once said. There were few students and masters in the training hall during the morning hours and Obi-Wan found he was glad for the fact.

Obi-Wan composed himself and calmly walked over to his waiting master. He started to say something in a way of greeting but Qui-Gon beat him to it.

"Right on time padawan, which for you, is almost late," Qui-Gon said with a teasing twinkle in his eyes.

"I'm sorry Master, I…"

Obi-Wan stopped as he opted not to go with the, I let my mind wander and forgot to pay attention to the time, explanation he was about to give. That hardly showed the proper respect for his master's time, and especially with something he himself enjoyed and was looking forward to. So why exactly did his mind wander? Obi-Wan mentally shook himself out of his stupor as he realized he had stopped mid-sentence, never finished, and was effectively doing the same thing, only right now, in front of his master. How embarrassing.

"You… what, Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon prompted.

Qui-Gon's voice was calm as ever when he spoke, but Obi-Wan didn't miss the slight concern that flashed briefly in his master's gray eyes as he looked at him curiously. It wasn't like Obi-Wan to stop mid-sentence and proceed to stare dumbfounded at the person talking to him.

"Um…" He tried again.

Blast. Clear your yammering mind Obi-Wan and answer your Master! He mentally scolded himself. If only he could hear me now, Obi-Wan thought with some amusement despite the situation.

- With your shields dropped as they are, perhaps he can, indeed, hear you, padawan. – Qui-Gon's voice sounded in his head.

Blast. Obi-Wan thought again, but this time with his thoughts shielded.

- You are distracted this morning, Obi-Wan. Are you feeling all right? -

In truth he was tired, he hadn't been sleeping well lately. A fact he was sure his Master already knew.

- I'm just a little tired Master. I apologize for my flightiness. I really do enjoy these practices. –

- As do I. I was not questioning your obedience, padawan. We have been gone much lately and it's no wonder you are tired. Perhaps with your mind prone to ah… roam, an activity that doesn't require swinging weapons at each other would be more appropriate? If you lost your focus… -

"No!" Obi-Wan cut in out loud attracting a few stares.

Obi-Wan cleared his throat and proceeded with a controlled tone this time.

"I assure you, Master, I can focus just fine. And it has been so long since we've had the time to spar," he said with a polite smile.

Qui-Gon looked his apprentice in the eyes. Which, annoyingly, didn't help. His padawan had finally developed the control needed to mask his emotions behind a carefully guarded serene facade. He had also perfected the mild mannered, soft-spoken tone he was receiving from Obi-Wan now. A skill every Jedi needed to develop. It had been a hard lesson for his padawan to learn such control over his emotions and Qui-Gon took a certain amount of pride that he had grown so much. Except when he uses it on me, he thought, suppressing a frown.

Qui-Gon, renowned master negotiator, knew when he was being railroaded and didn't appreciate it. Obi-Wan had successfully answered him without answering his question. It reminded him of someone else who had the annoying habit. He really was going to have to watch letting the boy around Yoda, the little troll. As Obi-Wan's smile widened into an almost playful one, he knew his apprentice was aware of his line of thought.

"Very well… impudent miscreant," he answered simply.

Keeping his outward appearance calm, Qui-Gon turned and walked farther into the training area away from the door. With his back turned the Jedi Master missed the relieved sigh Obi-Wan let go.

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan casually removed their robes and set them aside. As they unclipped their 'sabers and turned to face each other Obi-Wan had to hide a smile as there were suddenly more people standing near by to watch them, more than had been in the hall initially. It took a while for one to master the ability to totally keep your emotions blocked from others. So Obi-Wan could feel, more than hear the excited buzz of the other students in the room. Their emotions came across so clear it was almost like being in a room full of none Force-sensitives.

And, Obi-Wan noticed, from somewhere unknown, Master Yoda had materialized in the back of the gathered watchers and stood silently leaning on his gimmer stick. Apparently, Master Yoda had brought his class of initiates in to watch the sparring. Qui-Gon saw Obi-Wan's eyes lock on Master Yoda.

- No pressure – Qui Gon's voice came calmly to Obi Wan.

Obi-Wan didn't miss the slight amusement that radiated through their bond though.

- You're baiting me -

- I would never -

Did Qui-Gon just smirk?

- I wonder some times - Obi-Wan responded with all the dryness he could muster.

- Come padawan, a Jedi, especially a Jedi Master, does not partake in something as juvenile as retaliation -

Qui-Gon flipped the switch on his lightsaber and turned the power down for training. The familiar hum filled the air as the Jedi Master all but circled his apprentice.

- Of course not. -

Obi-Wan replied as he followed suit. He took a deep breath and released all his pent up tension into the Force. The Force flowed into him; it's familiar warmth chasing away the fatigue from the previous night, leaving nothing but the calm. Now was not the time to worry over dreams, for now, it was time to play. At least as much as Jedi let lose anyway. He brought the weapon up in a defensive position, the blue light casting an unnatural glow over the young man's face, which illuminated a barely refrained cocky smile.

- Just like they don't set their padawans on freshner cleaning duty for a month because said padawan helped proved Master Windu was right -

Obi-Wan initiated the attack before his Master could respond to his last thought. Nimble as a cat Obi-Wan switched his hold on the lightsaber and sprung at Qui-Gon.

Never one to be taken off guard, Qui-Gon did the opposite and switched to the defensive. Block. Block. Parry. Qui-Gon mentally took note of his apprentice's movements. The boy was becoming rather good, he noted as one of Obi-Wan's wide swinging arcs came close enough to singe the Jedi's long hair. Qui-Gon patiently waited for Obi-Wan's attack to play itself out. Now to test his defense.

Allowing the Force to flow through him, Qui-Gon hunched down momentarily and sprung up in a flash to summersault over Obi-Wan's head. The Jedi landed in a crouch and, using Force enhanced speed, swept backwards with his 'saber.

At the last moment, a feeling from the Force made Obi-Wan jump straight up to keep from getting his legs knocked out from under him as the blur that was his Master landed. Giving way to the will of the Force again the padawan flipped backward to narrowly miss the large foot that came out of nowhere for him. Obi-Wan landed and drew his 'saber close to him. As expected his Master charged him again.

Spin, jump, and roll as he might, Qui-Gon couldn't break past his apprentice's defenses, but that was all he was doing, defending. At this rate, their duel could last all day or at the very least, until one of them dropped from exhaustion. And though Qui-Gon was better in tune with the Force, he was using the more draining style. Very well, if Obi-Wan wanted to try a different technique, so be it. Qui-Gon cleared his mind and increased his focus for the kind of extreme level of control needed for a more elegant form. Parry. Thrust. Parry. Qui-Gon's movements switched from wide to small and precise. It forced Obi-Wan to open up and attack him. The much smaller and controlled attacks were harder to break through and gave Qui-Gon the upper hand when Obi-Wan switched back to the offensive. But as soon as that happened Qui-Gon picked up the intensity of his attacks and started to back his apprentice toward the wall.

Sith Hells, Obi-Wan thought as Qui-Gon's 'saber grazed his arm. It had been a long time since his Master had used Form II against him. Considering who Qui-Gon's master was though, no wonder he was still good at it, the padawan thought dryly. Obi-Wan admitted to himself, he didn't have a lot of practice trying to deal with this form and his Master skillfully picked at every opening Obi-Wan presented, before he himself, caught it. At this rate, his Master would force him against the wall where he couldn't maneuver and either disarm him or simple place an end strike. Think Kenobi! Obi-Wan ordered himself as the wall came swiftly closer. There had to be a way of stopping his Master's progression. Well, his Master wasn't the only one who could pull out rarely used techniques.

Obi-Wan came on in a series of quick thrust to stop their backward motion, took a deep breath, and released all his frustration into a fast and powerful swing. The force aided swing caught Qui-Gon off guard and pushed him back a step with its ferocity. The padawan had to spin completely around to absorb the momentum of the blow. As he came around he let go of his emotions once again with a two-handed upward arc of the 'saber. Qui-Gon brought the emerald blade up in defense against the powerful strike and before he could react Obi-Wan raised his hand.

Qui-Gon felt his feet leave the floor, as he was Force pushed away from his apprentice. The Jedi Master did a graceful flip to land securely several feet from Obi-Wan. Both combatants hesitated, breathing hard, to stare each other down. Qui-Gon tried to determine the look in his apprentice's eyes. They were darker than normal, almost clouded. One thing he knew, those last two strikes where almost… unnatural. Looks like Yoda isn't going to be the only one to get a talk about what they teach my padawan.

Obi-Wan actually heard the delighted gasps of admiration from the younger students for their display of skill, but Obi-Wan closed them out to focus on his Master. Qui-Gon had an unreadable look in his eyes. Well go on, attack damn it, he thought as he gripped his 'saber harder. Obi-Wan realized what he had just thought, and the anger behind the phrase. Obi-Wan stopped himself right there and took a deep, calming breath. He reached out to the Force again and allowed it to wash all of his anger away. He hadn't realized the fine line he was treading with the last two strikes. He looked to Qui-Gon's unreadable eyes again. Was that why he was hesitating? Did his Master sense the rising anger in that attack? Obi-Wan slowly reached out to brush his Master's mind to find it thoroughly blocked and almost frowned. That wasn't something his Master had done to him in a long time. Master Yoda broke the silence first.

"Over, the sparring, is."

That elicited a few groans from the Initiates, but they obediently rose from their sitting positions.

"On to your next class, you may go," Yoda said to the younglings.

Yoda waited for the students to leave before turning to Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan still could not read his Master's eyes and tried once again to touch his mind.

"Walk with me, you will, hmm," Yoda stated turning to Qui-Gon.

"Head back to your room, Obi-Wan."

"Yes Master," the padawan said bowing respectfully to Qui-Gon and Yoda before gathering his robe and leaving.

Qui-Gon retrieved his robe then stood patiently waiting for Yoda to speak, or move, or well, do something. The diminutive Master just stood staring at him. Qui-Gon was about to state that he didn't have the time for this when Yoda did finally do something. The little Master sighed and Qui-Gon saw his long ears droop. After close to six decades, Qui-Gon knew what that meant, Yoda was displeased.

"Ever impatient, have you been."

Qui-Gon almost laughed, despite himself. Now that was one he hadn't heard from Master Yoda in a long time. He was pretty sure he grew out of his impatience decades ago, Dooku's strict teachings had seen to that. But then again, Yoda had a patience of the like he'd never witnessed before. He could out wait… and out stare, anyone. It was that particular stare though, that the Jedi Master was not too fond of right now.

"Come," was all Yoda said as he hobbled his way out of the Training Hall.

Neither spoke a word as they slowly, very slowly, made their way out to the Temple gardens. Yoda led them into a part usually reserved for the Counsel members to use when they needed to get away for a short time without distraction.

Qui-Gon breathed deep of the life around him. Being so in tune with the Living Force, a place with so much natural life made the Jedi feel alive, at peace. He let the Force flow through every part of him. It energized him and he felt the tension leave his muscles. Qui-Gon was grateful because he never realized how tense he had unconsciously become. He looked down to see Yoda staring up at him. Yoda's sleepy eyes held appraisal. He was, apparently, waiting for that to happen.

"So," Qui-Gon started much more at peace, "what is it you wanted to speak to me about?"

"Wanted to speak to you, I did not. Wanted to clear your mind before spoke to your padawan, I did."

"I will still have to talk with Obi-Wan about the danger involved with using Vaapad."

"And with those who would teach it to learners," Qui-Gon added as an afterthought.

"Skilled, has your apprentice become."

"Indeed," Qui-Gon nodded, "he will surpass me one day."

And for a Master, there could be no greater thing, Qui-Gon knew. With experience, Obi-Wan would indeed, become a fine Knight.

Another long stretch of silence. This time though, Qui-Gon waited patiently.

"Curious, are the young," Yoda commented without looking up.

"That may be, but Vaapad is not something to be experimented with, it dips too close to the Dark Side. He was beginning to lose control, and against his own Master. So far as I know, Mace is the only one able to walk that line."

"Kneel, former student," Yoda said sagely.

Qui-Gon felt a certain apprehension about that command, he had grown up around Yoda, but he complied nonetheless. He was a Jedi Master, after all, and not supposed to let fear rule his actions. Especially fear over a three foot gnome with a…

Whack!

… stick.

Qui-Gon sighed and consciously made an effort not to rub the spot the little gnome had hit him.

"Tried to use Vaapad against me, you have!" Yoda said grumpily, pointing his stick at Qui-Gon for emphases.

"Yes, but…"

"Used it against Dooku, you also have!"

"He…"

"And used Makashi against an unsuspecting padawan, you just did!" Yoda finished pounding the ground with his stick.

Qui-Gon held his hands up in the universal sign of defeat.

"Alright, alright, I relent," Qui-Gon said before Yoda got riled enough to thwack him with the stick again.

Yoda just nodded and leaned on his gimmer stick. Master Yoda's way of, well literally, beating his point into one's head was an effective method of making his point very clear.

"Lose control Obi-Wan, almost did. But realize it, he has. A good lesson, it was. Hmm, good indeed," Yoda mumbled as he slowly made his way deeper into the garden.

Qui-Gon knew he was right. For someone like Obi-Wan, to almost lose control without knowing it, then coming to that realization, would probably shock the boy into never trying it again. Obi-Wan was, if anything, rigorously formal and against losing control. And with the close brushes he'd experienced with the Dark side in his past, it was no wonder.

Qui-Gon made his way back to Obi-Wan and his respective quarters expecting to find his apprentice meditating or perhaps preparing a midday meal. The Jedi Master entered to find no one. Obi-Wan had to expect a reprimanding, but it was unlike him to not face up to it. Qui-Gon reached out through their bond to realize he had put a barrier around his mind. No wonder Yoda had taken him aside first and he was grateful. There was no telling what his padawan would think about such behavior. Dropping his shields, Qui-Gon felt for his padawan once again.

He felt his apprentice's presence close by and stopped outside his bedroom door. By the slight touch Qui-Gon could tell Obi-Wan was likely asleep. Which for his conservative padawan was most unusual. But, he reminded himself, they had only returned from their mission on Yavin 3 yesterday, and it had been many nights since Obi-Wan had slept peacefully through the entire night. His padawan had not confronted him about the dreams that woke him from his slumber, something Qui-Gon was acutely aware of, but he did not push. Obi-Wan would come to him when he was ready.

Baring that in mind, Qui-Gon was of a mind that rest would be the best thing for Obi-Wan and turned to take a shower. Leniency was called for when the situation was appropriate, and right now, Qui-Gon decided just that. I slight ripple in the Force made the Jedi pause.

"Obi-Wan?" he called softly.

After receiving no response he called again with a light knock. After the second try, Qui-Gon gently slid the door open himself. Obi-Wan was lying on his back above the cover, as if he had not meant to fall asleep. The young man's face was slightly pinched in pain and he looked weary, even in his sleep. How very young he looked to the Jedi Master lying there and it reminded Qui-Gon of just how very young his padawan really was. Qui-Gon had come to recognize this sensation. It was the same disturbance he felt before Obi-Wan's dreams would wake him. Well, Qui-Gon thought, Obi-Wan had not come to him for help yet, but that didn't mean he had to completely wait for him to ask either.

Qui-Gon walked over to Obi-Wan on the sleep couch and gently laid his hand on the young man's forehead. Qui-Gon sent waves of soothing comfort to the troubled young man. Eventually the lines of tension left his padawan's face and he seemed to settle into a deeper sleep. Qui-Gon grabbed one of the extra blankets from the closet and covered Obi-Wan with it.

Finally, satisfied his padawan was resting comfortably; Qui-Gon excited the room and slid the door quietly shut behind him.

TBC…
Heh, don't worry dear readers, when we get into fighting bad guys and such, I won't get into the technicalities of which Lightsaber Forms they are using and such. I just figured that two trained, skilled Jedi sparring with each other for a little fun and training would keep such techniques in mind.

Reviews are never required, but are always appreciated.