Hello! This is a oneshot (sort of a long one) between Lost and Found and Learning to Trust. You don't really have to read them- but it might help explain a few things if you don't want to be confused! Thanks to where the wind blows for the inspiration for this! I couldn't let it go after you suggested this! :D Hope you like it!

Dark before the Dawn will be updated soon- I've been busy with Uni work (psychology essay) this week but hopefully the weekend will be a bit more relaxed! Anyway- enjoy and please review my first oneshot! Maybe I'll write more later- just snaps of Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan's Jedi life :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing in the Star Wars universe

Enjoy!

First Step on the Road

"Master…um- the dinner is ready? Would you like to come and eat?"

Momentarily surprised, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn looked up from where he was on the sofa in the main living quarters of his new apartment in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, to where his Padawan of nearly a week was standing- a little nervously- by the table where plates and eating utensils were set out.

Rising smoothly to his feet, Qui-Gon nodded. "Very well Padawan," he replied evenly. Missing the nervousness, he nevertheless picked up the shy happy smile that appeared upon the boy's face at the usage of the age-old title. "Let us eat." He followed Obi-Wan to the table, where plates of food were laid out.

Obi-Wan sat down opposite his Master, waiting for the older man to start eating. Hidden by the table, his fingers were twisting together on his lap. Would his Master like the food? Did it taste alright? Had he included what his Master liked? Cooking had never really been Obi-Wan's strong point, but he and Qui-Gon had not been to the Temple's canteen since starting their partnership, leaving Obi-Wan to prepare their meals. He had not dared suggest they do anything else. Plus he was still getting to know what foods Qui-Gon favoured- a few days weren't enough to know the still mysterious Jedi Master.

He had been Qui-Gon's Padawan for nearly five days now. Five whole amazing days. In that time, Obi-Wan had been informed of his new roles as a Jedi Padawan, been enrolled in some new classes at the Temple and also trained with his new Master for the first time. Much of the information was overwhelming and the differences between Padawan and Initiate were only just becoming apparent. Obi-Wan was beginning to wonder if he could handle the transition- there was so much work, so many expectations- he did not know how he was going to keep up with it all.

Not living with all the other initiates was taking some getting used to. Several times over the last two days, Obi-Wan had found himself walking back towards the Crèche instead of his new home with Qui-Gon in a completely different part of the Temple. The last time, Master Vena Kaa, Crèche Master had spotted him almost entering the Crèche, as he had allowed his feet to guide him on auto-pilot. Embarrassed, Obi-Wan- gently teased by his older Crèche Master- had quickly changed his route and headed back to his new quarters.

"Obi-Wan? You can start eating," Qui-Gon looked up to see his Padawan sitting motionless on his seat, a glazed over look in his eyes that suggested the boy was lost in thought. "Obi-Wan?"

On the third call of his name, Obi-Wan had jerked out of his reverie, face immediately flushing as he caught the slightly stern expression on his Master's face. "S-sorry," Obi-Wan managed quickly. "Is everything alright? The food? Do you need anything else?" The words were almost tripping over themselves as he spoke, causing his face to flame even further.

Qui-Gon's brows drew together. "No, Obi-Wan it's not-" he began. Instantly he realised that had been the wrong way to begin speaking- the padawan looked more than a little crushed at the blunt start to his sentence. Quickly, the new Master hurried to make amends. "Obi-Wan, that's not what I meant," he repeated more fully this time. "The food is fine. I was merely inquiring as to why you had not started?"

Obi-Wan blinked. He wasn't sure his face could actually go anymore crimson than it already was. But no, his Master was just looking out for him, not starting a lecture. Quickly, Obi-Wan helped himself to the food he had prepared and began to eat; feeling a little more relaxed than a moment ago. Opposite him, Qui-Gon noticed this and his frown softened, the two falling into companionable silence as they ate.

After they had finished, Obi-Wan had cleared up the dishes, taking them back into the kitchenette whilst Qui-Gon retired back to the sofa where he was reading over some files from his previous mission away from the Temple just before he had asked Obi-Wan to become his Padawan.

The Master, who had been alone for so many years, was also struggling to adapt to the changes, despite what he told himself. Having another person almost constantly around was a new thing- even having to care and mentor a young teenager was an experience he had long put behind him and was struggling getting used to again. Times had changed since raising his last Padawan (not that he was going to dwell on him) and times had definitely changed since Qui-Gon had been a teen. The Master was sure there were going to be many challenges awaiting him in raising a teenage Jedi again.

Sharing quarters in the Temple after nearly a decade of being alone…it was difficult. Returning to his quarters expecting peace with his own thoughts, Qui-Gon was often startled to sense another presence in his apartment, before he realised that it was his new Padawan. Old habits were hard to break. Not that Obi-Wan was boisterous or loud, he was in fact quite reserved and discreet, altogether pleasant to live with. Qui-Gon wondered if the boy was like that with his friends.

Just being in the Temple, surrounded by Jedi, for more than a few days without disappearing on another mission was also different. Qui-Gon's daily schedule had changed to incorporate at least three hours of training with his new Padawan. As they said- a Padawan was for life and not just Christmas. Well – life as in until the Padawan was ready to become a Knight, many, many years down the line. The long haul it was then, Qui-Gon decided dryly.

Apart from that, everything seemed to be going reasonably smoothly. Obi-Wan was not high maintenance, he was independent enough to get on with his work, studied hard from what Qui-Gon could tell so far and cooked well enough too. He respected Qui-Gon's need for quietness in their apartment which pleased Qui-Gon. He needed space to be able to meditate in silence without the latest craze of music blaring from his Padawan's room (he had heard stories from other Masters and was very glad Obi-Wan was not like this- at least not yet). The boy's room did leave a little to be desired- Qui-Gon was meticulous about cleanliness and neatness in their apartment, but the Master was sure things would soon straighten out, with some prompting.

Yes, things were well in the Master's opinion.

Finishing tidying the kitchen, Obi-Wan returned to the living quarters. "If there is nothing else Master- if you don't need anything else- I'm going to start my studies for the night?"

Qui-Gon nodded. There was still something that perturbed him. Yes he was Obi-Wan's Master- but that did not mean the boy was his servant. That would need to be addressed sooner rather than later. Thinking back over dinner- he realised belatedly he had left everything for his Padawan to do, the preparation, the cooking, the clearing up. The boy had not complained even once, just took to the task with the same quiet determination Qui-Gon had seen his new apprentice take with his new life.

"No, there's nothing else Padawan," his lips quirked a little into a smile. "Classes already setting a heavy workload?"

Obi-Wan basked in the smile- even if it was a small one. "Yes Master- not that it's anything I can't handle," he said hurriedly. He was not going to let Qui-Gon down. He was going to be the best Padawan in the Temple. His new Master deserved that at the very least. Complaining over his workload at this early stage or not looking competent enough was a hidden fear- he did not want Qui-Gon to think he had made a mistake- or regret his choice of padawan.

"Don't stay up too late," the Master warned lightly, picking up another data pad.

The boy nodded quickly, bowed and excused himself and the Master immersed himself in his work. That was how most of the evenings were spent in their quarters, in separate rooms doing their own work, meditations or relaxing. Very rarely were the two of them together in the apartment apart from meals, which were mostly in silence anyway.

Sitting at his desk, absentmindedly deciding which piece of work- Galactic History or Astrophysics he should start first, Obi-Wan mulled over the situation. Did he dare try and broach the topic with his Master? Would a 'How was your day Obi-Wan?' really be that hard for the Jedi Master? Obi-Wan bit his lip. He did not want to sound needy or childish. He did not need Qui-Gon to ask how his day was. Though it would be nice to talk about something other than work. He wanted to get to know Qui-Gon- not just know him as Master.

Sighing, Obi-Wan pulled the Galactic History towards him and began to make a start.

Rubbing his eyes, Qui-Gon belatedly glanced at the chrono on the table in the living room. Immediately, he started. He had not meant to spend more than two hours on the files in front of him, but somehow the time had slipped by and he had been on the sofa for close to five hours since dinner, in addition to doing other things as well- which meant it was after midnight, accounting for their late meal. Standing, Qui-Gon stretched his shoulders and gathered up the data pads to put in his room. As he passed Obi-Wan's, he noticed the sliver of yellow light also indicated his Padawan was still awake.

At this hour? Surely the boy should have gone to sleep a few hours ago at least? Qui-Gon frowned. He did not think that Obi-Wan needed to have an enforced bedtime – the boy was surely to mature and old enough for that. Depositing the pads on his personal desk, Qui-Gon then headed to Obi-Wan's room, tapping at the door. Perhaps the boy had fallen asleep with the light on…

"C-come in?" Obi-Wan's voice responded to the knocking.

Frowning, Qui-Gon palmed the door open. Obi-Wan was in his bed clothes seated at his desk. However, his data pad and class materials were all packed away for the night. The bed covers were even rumpled, as though they had been slept in- or at least lain on.

"Obi-Wan- I thought you would be asleep by now- it's late and you have early classes tomorrow," Qui-Gon looked back at his apprentice.

Expression chastised, Obi-Wan nodded, fiddling with the hem of his night shirt. "I know, I'm sorry Master," was all the Padawan offered.

"I will see you in the morning Obi-Wan. Get some sleep." Qui-Gon said before he left the room, allowing the door to quietly hiss shut behind him as he made his way to his own bedroom. The sliver of light beneath Obi-Wan's door disappeared and Qui-Gon nodded satisfactorily before entering his room.

Changing into his nightclothes, Qui-Gon settled down for the night, a light meditative trance quickly giving way to sleep. Had the Jedi Master been more observant, he would have noticed the dark, haunted circles beneath his Padawan's eyes over the last few days. Had he pried further, he would have noticed the lack of sleep Obi-Wan had managed to get since moving into the apartment. However, all this went unheeded for a more few hours.

When Qui-Gon woke, he couldn't immediately work out why. He sat up quickly, brain alert within a second- his eyes scanning his bedroom, Force sweeping the room. His lightsaber was in his hand before he could blink- another habit of old- waking up in the middle of war zones on far flung planets. When all his senses told him he was in no danger, Qui-Gon relaxed slightly. They also informed the Jedi that it was still night- almost four hours before he had to wake up in fact. Then why was he awake? Something had nudged him from sleep back into consciousness and Qui-Gon propped up on an elbow could not think why.

Beginning to think his body was simply just attuned to mission-life and no longer Temple life, Qui-Gon almost settled back down again when he felt it. A slight tugging at the back of his mind- faint but insistent. He sat up, trying to pinpoint the source in the back of his mind. It was the bond between him and Obi-Wan, the newly formed bond that had barely been in existence for two weeks. Frowning, Qui-Gon concentrated on it, trying to find out what was wrong.

So far in their partnership, their bond had been quiet. It was not developed enough yet for sense each other fully or communicate at will- but then it had only been a week. The bond had flared dramatically to life a week ago when Obi-Wan had been in danger in the Meditation Gardens when he was attacked by Sony-Da. Qui-Gon could still remember the sudden course of adrenaline, shock and fear that had coursed through his system at the pain and despair that had radiated from Obi-Wan. He hoped never to feel that again.

The mental tugging was becoming stronger now. An array of emotions were flitting along the bond- twinges of fear, pain and distress. Fully awake again, Qui-Gon gently felt the bond, searching for answers. Something was wrong; Qui-Gon could sense that much as his concern ratcheted up another notch.

Suddenly, a terrified scream rent the air, sending horrified chills cascading down Qui-Gon's back as the Jedi froze in shock. No doubt in his mind that it was Obi-Wan, the Master threw himself out of his room at breakneck speed, calling his lightsaber to his hand as he flew through their quarters and into his Padawan's room- determined to end the source of Obi-Wan's cry.

"Obi-Wan!"

Qui-Gon barrelled through his Padawan's door- stopping short on the threshold, all types of horrifying scenarios of what could have caused the scream arising in his mind. Was the Temple under attack? Was Obi-Wan injured? Emerald saber singing, Qui-Gon's lightning gaze swept the room for intruders or danger.

There was none. The room was quiet and empty, apart from a small teenager twisted on the bed, blankets tangled around his ankles, pillows on the floor, arms and legs akimbo as the boy battled some unseen foe. As Qui-Gon watched, Obi-Wan's body jolted rigidly. Sweat was clear on his forehead, his spiky brownish-red hair damp with it, his face furrowed in fear, tear tracks clear on his cheeks.

"Obi-Wan!" Deactivating the lightsaber and hurrying over to the boy's bed, Qui-Gon immediately reached out for his Padawan, eyes checking swiftly for injury, which he found none of. Confused and still concerned, Qui-Gon wracked his brains – suddenly coming up with the only other explanation: Obi-Wan was in the clutches of a nightmare. As soon as he touched Obi-Wan's shoulder, the bond flared into life again, flooding with images from the boy's nightmares.

Dark passages…water dripping from a damp ceiling…

Running…footsteps…cold…freezing…no Master…Master!

Lost…alone…afraid…no Force…Dark side… not chosen…abandoned…fear…alone…no…please! Master!

Chased…more footsteps…running faster…shadows behind…fear…lost…alone…help…scared…

Him…him…HIM…caught…trapped…no way out…

MASTER!

With another petrified cry, Obi-Wan's body jolted upwards, nearly causing his head to collide with that of his very concerned Master's, who was sitting by him, reeling from the amount of pain, terror and fear that had literally floored him for a moment.

"Obi-Wan! Obi-Wan calm down, I'm here, it's alright you're safe," Qui-Gon hurried to console his near-hysterical Padawan, holding him close. The boy was quivering in his arms, shaking his head and sobbing, chest heaving as he fought for breath, battling against the older Jedi, reaching out with fists as weak as an infant in his attempt to escape Qui-Gon's grasp.

Reaching into his mind, the Master called on the bond to help him. / Obi-Wan! I am here, you are safe, wake up/ Qui-Gon commanded through the Force. The bond was useful in times of great need and now was one of those times. /Obi-Wan! /

There was a timid brush against his end of the bond, as though Obi-Wan was afraid to respond. Gently, Qui-Gon encouraged it, relief flowing through him as Obi-Wan's struggles began to slow and he fell boneless into Qui-Gon's arms, head lolling back in an almost sickening motion.

/ Master? / the mental word was almost slurred and very hesitant as the Padawan began to communicate back.

Qui-Gon could already feel the bond between them beginning to expand and develop, strengthen just by their continued use at the deeper Force level. It was rather awe-inspiring. / Yes Obi-Wan, it is me Padawan. Wake up- you were dreaming- you need to wake up now/

Slowly, Obi-Wan's eyelashes fluttered as he responded to Qui-Gon's gentle prompts to wake up and come back to reality, where there was nothing to hurt him. His frightened blue eyes, glassy with unshed tears immediately trained on the older Jedi who's lap he was currently almost draped over.

This fact, more than anything else, startled Obi-Wan so much he instantly tried to move away, tugging out of the Master's grip. However, Qui-Gon held on tighter, determined to quieten the Padawan and find out what was wrong. Eventually, Obi-Wan realised he was going nowhere, but that did not stop his cheeks from flaming brilliantly at the position. He was not a baby…he didn't need Qui-Gon to think he was.

"Obi-Wan…it's alright. I just want to help," Qui-Gon spoke quietly, sending reassuring waves through the Force. / Calm yourself Little One, nothing is here to hurt you /

Once the apprentice had calmed down sufficiently, Qui-Gon allowed him to lean back onto his pillows that he helped Obi-Wan to mound up so he was reclining more comfortably on the bed. Still blushing furiously and scrubbing the tear tracks off of his cheeks, Obi-Wan did not know where to place his eyes. He was mortified- beyond mortified. He had awoken Qui-Gon because of a dream, a silly little dream? Surely Padawans were not meant to be afraid of dreams. He settled on staring at his bedspread, eyes firmly placed on the duvet.

His Master was not having any of it. "Obi-Wan, look at me please," he said softly, sitting a little closer. "Obi-Wan?"

Eventually the Padawan managed to gain the courage to look up into his Master's eyes. Where he had expected ridicule and disappointment…he found compassion, understanding and concern? They were not the emotions he had imagined to find. He blinked hard, tears appearing in the corners of his eyes again. He was determined not to let them fall in front of the Jedi Master.

"I only want to help Padawan," Qui-Gon began, seeing Obi-Wan's reluctance to speak. "Can you tell me what you saw?"

Slowly, Obi-Wan nodded. "I…I was in a dark place. I was alone. I felt…the Dark side. I couldn't escape. Then…" the apprentice gulped. "I saw…I saw…him."

Qui-Gon, who had been listening attentively, sat up straighter. "Who is 'he' Padawan?" The Master was almost afraid to ask. His mind remembering the last week he already had a well-educated guess at the figure that haunted Obi-Wan's dreams.

"Sony-Da," Obi-Wan whispered, voice barely raised but seemingly like a shout in the silent room. "He…he wants me to join…join the Dark side," Obi-Wan was unable to go on. He looked up imploringly at Qui-Gon. "I won't, I promise I won't, I won't follow the Dark side, Master please believe me!" the words tumbling over themselves in their frantic haste to be heard, understood, believed…

Alarmed, Qui-Gon saw more tears falling from the emotional blue eyes. Unable to do anything else, he squeezed his apprentice's shoulder. "I know Obi-Wan. When I first met you I knew you were fully entrenched in the light," he quickly yet sincerely reassured the distressed Padawan. He caught the dark circles under the boy's eyes as he looked more closely at Obi-Wan. "How long is it since you had a decent night's sleep Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan fiddled with the bed sheets. "Since…since before I moved here Master," he mumbled his answer.

Qui-Gon bit back a sigh. So much for everything going well- he had failed to notice that his Padawan of a week had not been sleeping. Just talking to the boy would have highlighted that, most likely. He caught the tremble of Obi-Wan's lower lip and immediately knew what he was thinking. "Obi-Wan I am not angry at you. I am more concerned and I want to help you," he comforted the boy. "Now- Sony-Da cannot hurt you anymore. He is locked up in a secure facility off-planet and will not be released. You are safe in the Temple- remember that. You are safe here and I will not let him hurt you again. Not ever Padawan, I promise. And I want to tell me when something bothers you- I am your Master- I am here to help you."

Obi-Wan stared in surprise at the conviction ringing in his Master's voice and blazing in his eyes. Qui-Gon would protect him, his Master was strong, wise and the best-swordsmen in the Order, as well as one of the best Jedi's (in Obi-Wan's opinion- which he thought everyone should share). "Master…" he managed to mumble, simultaneously embarrassed and grateful.

"I will not let him harm you again Obi-Wan. Your sleep should be undisturbed if you are going to become a good Padawan," Qui-Gon ended on a teasing note.

Unable to restrain himself, Obi-Wan wrapped his arms around his Master's waist, unable to voice his gratitude in words at that moment. He knew it was childish, but he just had to. It was hard to say who was more astonished when Qui-Gon's arms folded around his Padawan's shoulders, holding him firmly and safely.

"No more nightmares Padawan," Qui-Gon said quietly. "You need your sleep. Especially if you're going to master the new katas I have planned for tomorrow morning."

"Really Master?" Obi-Wan pulled back slightly to look up at Qui-Gon who nodded.

"Yes, young Jedi Padawans need their sleep," Qui-Gon shifted on the edge of the bed so Obi-Wan could get back under the covers and settle down. "And remember you are safe Obi-Wan. I will guide you to dreamless sleep tonight. Close your eyes," he instructed.

Obi-Wan did so, breathing already deepening as he relaxed against the mattress.

Gently, the Master guided the Padawan towards sleep, away from nightmares and lurking shadows, to soothing stretches of nothingness and deep relaxing slumber. The frown lines and fear that had dominated Obi-Wan's face a few moments ago back to drift away, replaced by a smooth, untroubled expression that Qui-Gon found much better. Gone was the tension and dread, in its place peace and comfort as Obi-Wan's head fell sideways onto his pillow as his breathing deepened and he slept.

Untangling himself from Obi-Wan's mind, Qui-Gon sat back, watching his apprentice sleep. In sleep the boy seemed so much younger than thirteen. And there was so much more to come- so much more for Obi-Wan to do, learn, see, hear, experience in his Jedi life. He would visit other planets, meet new forms of life, battle for the Light side and learn more ways of the Force. He was Qui-Gon's to teach, to mould into a Jedi and the Master suddenly felt the weight of that on his shoulders, he had an enormous responsibility in raising Obi-Wan.

"Sleep well Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon whispered as he got up from the bed.

/'Night…Master…/ The Padawan's tired, sleepy thoughts washed through Qui-Gon's mind with an additional surge of contentment and peace, comforting Qui-Gon, wordlessly thanking him for everything.

As Qui-Gon left the room, flicking off the light switch with a nimble touch of the Force, he glanced back at the sleeping figure of Obi-Wan. They had much to accomplish together and Qui-Gon was looking forward to spending time getting to know his new apprentice as they went through life together as Master and Padawan, whatever their missions might bring them.

There we go :) Hope you liked it!

Review please? They make me so happy! :D

AldabaranFox