Tabula Rasa.

"No! You have to let me in there!" Qui-Gon demanded when two strong healers pushed him back.

"Master Jinn, you do your job, let us do ours. You'd only be in our way." She said, shutting and locking the door once Qui-Gon was on the other side. The Jedi Master frowned and slammed his fist against it, but it did nothing to get him back into the room. He paced in the waiting room nervously, focusing intently on his bond with Ben, wanting desperately to be by the boy's side.

"Qui-Gon! We heard you were back." Mace Windu spoke swiftly as he and the rest of the Council approached. Qui-Gon spun and looked at him, nodding swiftly. "How is he?" The council member asked and Qui-Gon shrugged.

"Alive…that's all I know. He stopped breathing for a bit, but the healers got there just in time…They're taking him in for surgery and I guess then a bacta tank…" He trailed off. Ben being put in a bacta tank would assume the surgery went well. Qui-Gon knew that much.

"And Xanatos?" Mace asked and Qui-Gon paused for just a moment.

"I killed him." He stated, surprisingly at ease with the statement. He didn't really care about Xanatos, not with Ben fighting for his life in the next room. Mace nodded slowly and glanced down at Master Yoda. Qui-Gon rolled his eyes. "Is there something you would like to share with the rest of the class?" He asked, sick of their silent conversations.

The two of them looked back at him, slightly taken aback, and Master Yoda slowly shook his head. "Concerned for young Kenobi you are. Excused you are." He said and then motioned to a chair. "Sit you should." He said and Qui-Gon shook his head.

"I'd rather stay standing." He murmured and turned back to look at the door.

"You should rest Qui-Gon. I think you're in shock." Mace spoke, placing a hand on Qui-Gon's shoulder. Qui-Gon shook his head.

"I'll leave when Ben is better."

Determined to stick by his word Qui-Gon remained in the waiting room well into the night. He did eventually sit, however, he refused to fall asleep or make himself any more comfortable than that. Several people had come to check on Ben, including the boy's new friends, also Master Rorg and Knight Drenick.

However, as the healers had said nothing about Ben's condition, he didn't have anything to tell them. And as he was lost in thought, he wasn't exactly stimulating conversation. He just couldn't stop thinking about Ben. Everything they had been through lately had warmed Qui-Gon up to the boy. No…more than warmed up. He had all but claimed Qui-Gon's heart.

Sighing, the large Jedi Master leaned back against the chair and rubbed his face a bit. He breathed slowly, trying to reach out with the force and sense how Ben was on the other side of the door. Almost as if they knew he was desperate for some news a healer came out.

Qui-Gon stood swiftly and walked over to her. "How is he?" He asked, realizing his throat suddenly hurt. He didn't care much at the moment, however.

"He's stabilized." She said swiftly and then motioned back in. "We've just put him into the Bacta Tank. We'll keep him in there for two days and-."

"Let me see him." Qui-Gon insisted and the Healer gave him an interesting look.

"He's in the tank." She repeated and Qui-Gon shook his head and pushed past her, and entered the room and quickly walked across to another door where the bacta tanks rested. He walked in and immediately spotted Ben's tank. He strode over to it swiftly and placed his hand up on the glass. He looked so small…so hurt…

The healer approached from behind him and linked her arms behind her back. "The blade pierced his intestines. Luckily, we were able to stitch it back together. His esophagus nearly collapsed but he pulled through. The beating he received from Xanatos took some work. That was why it took so long actually. Now that he's in there…he should be fine." She explained and Qui-Gon nodded, simply continuing to stare at Ben's floating form.

"Perhaps you should go back to your quarters and rest. I'll alert you as soon as he is taken out. You have my word." She promised but Qui-Gon shook his head.

"No. I'm staying here. I'm not leaving him." He spoke stubbornly and the healer frowned but, aware of Qui-Gon's determination, nodded. She gently patted his shoulder and then left for a moment. Qui-Gon didn't notice how long she was gone but suddenly felt something thick and warm being held towards him.

He turned, letting his hand fall from the glass, and looked at the blanket. He gave a soft smile and nodded. "Thank you." He said gratefully and then gripped it tightly as his vision focused in on Ben once more. He leaned his forehead against the glass and slowly shook his head. "I'm so sorry…" He whispered. "I'm so sorry this happened." He continued, knowing Ben couldn't hear him, but wanting to say it none the less.

"It'll be ok though. You'll see…When this is all over it will be ok." He promised and nodded surely and slowly walked over to a chair and pulled it closer to the bacta tank. He sat in it with a sigh, keeping his eyes firmly on the tank, until, eventually, sleep won out.

"Take him out. Gently…" The healer urged as Ben was lifted out of the tank and unplugged from the many lines that had fed nutrients and fresh blood into him. "Keep the mask on for now." She added and Ben's breathing mask remained on him as the two healers gently laid him down on a bed.

Qui-Gon hovered in a corner, watching intently, and dutifully staying out of the way. That was the only way he could convince them to allow him to stay as they did a rudimentary scan, making sure the bacta did its job. He had his hands folded into his robes and he leaned against the wall. He hadn't left the healer's ward for two days, his beard was scruffy, his hair askew, and he was certain he had an odor. But he didn't care. He was not leaving until Ben woke up and he could talk to the boy.

He watched as the healers finished the scan, smiles on their faces. One turned to him and nodded. "He's going to be just fine. We'll remove the scar from the vibro-shiv and there'll be no further damage." She ensured and Qui-Gon felt a giant weight be lifted off of his shoulders. Ben was going to be ok. It was over…It was finally all over.

He watched them take off Ben's breathing mask and Qui-Gon cleared his throat. "When will he wake up?" He asked, his throat feeling scratchy, due to lack of speaking for the past few days.

The healer gave a light shrug as she reattached Ben to some machines that monitored his vital signs. "Oh I would say he could wake up at just about any moment. It's common to do so after being submerged so long. Though I doubt he'll stay awake long. His body still needs a lot of rest. I can wake him now, if you want. But you can only talk to him for a few minutes." She said and Qui-Gon shook his head.

"No no…let him get the rest he needs." Qui-Gon insisted. He wouldn't deprive Ben of that purely for his own selfish reasons. Qui-Gon's statement was more or less superfluous as Ben gave a light moan and lightly began blinking open his eyes. Not a heart beat later Qui-Gon was at his side, lightly taking his hand. It seemed so tiny…

"He might be a bit disoriented." The healer warned and Qui-Gon ignored her.

"Ben?" Qui-Gon whispered softly and the boy slowly moved his head to look up at the larger man.

"What's happening?" He asked, and his heart rate started accelerating. "Xanatos. Where is he?!" He asked, immediately trying to push himself up and out of the bed. Qui-Gon gripped his shoulder and urged him back down, softly shushing him.

"Xanatos is gone. He won't hurt you anymore." Qui-Gon promised, though it didn't seem to get through to the boy.

"No…he's coming. He's coming back. He's going to take me away and hurt me again. He wants to kill you." Ben moaned and Qui-Gon shut his eyes tightly and gently patted Ben's head.

"He can't come back. I killed him. I promise you, he won't hurt you again." Qui-Gon repeated and Ben seemed to relax, clearly trusting Qui-Gon regardless of all the hurtful things he had said. Ben laid back on the bed softly and closed his eyes, silencing.

"Why'd you rescue me?" He asked suddenly and Qui-Gon's forehead knitted.

"You thought I'd let him kill you?" He asked; yes, he had said mean things, and thrown the boy out of his room. That didn't mean he wanted him to be tortured and killed. Ben gave a small shrug as he pulled his hand back from Qui-Gon and laid it on the bed weakly.

"You hate me." He said as an explanation and Qui-Gon sighed and leaned pulled a chair closer to the bed so he could sit. "You said you never wanted to see me again." He murmured, hoping it would sting Qui-Gon, and it did. Perhaps it was a bit petulant, but he was eight and felt he had some right to make the man hurt as well.

"I didn't mean to say those things." Qui-Gon told him, clenching his fists and mentally berating himself for behaving so inappropriately. He had just felt so angry and betrayed. He thought Ben was trying to steal from him, and hurt him. He didn't think Ben just might be trying to learn something about him. That he just might be curious.

"You still did." Ben pointed out and Qui-Gon smirked a bit. For a child he was most definitely wise beyond his years. In his own way Ben had said that you can't undo the past. Which he couldn't. He could only try to make amends and make a brighter future.

He didn't answer for a while, and looked at the child whose eyes opened and shut slowly. What could he do to make this all better?

Qui-Gon sat next to Ben's bed, lightly stroking the boy's hand. The room was dark, and the low glow of the machines cast an eerie light in the room. He could tell that Ben was awake, though barely clinging to consciousness. Qui-Gon knew he had hurt him. Regardless of saving Ben from Xanatos his harsh words had cut the boy deep. He regretted lashing out, but he couldn't change the past.

"I want to tell you about Xanatos, Ben." Qui-Gon said and immediately Ben's eyes snapped open and looked at him intensely. "You see, Xanatos used to be a Jedi. In fact, he used to be my padawan..."

Qui-Gon told Ben everything there was to know about Xanatos. How bright and gifted he had been, and how much he had loved him. He told Ben about how that love blinded him to the person Xanatos was becoming; to the greed and hate building in his student. He told him how Xanatos turned and left the Jedi, and how since then has blamed Qui-Gon for everything wrong in life. He explained how he had always blamed himself for what had happened, that he had loved Xanatos too much, or too little, or he had been an unfair master; he blamed himself for any number of things. He explained that that was why he had reacted the way he did when he thought Ben was stealing from him.

When Qui-Gon finished, he let Ben's hand fall from his chest and back onto the bed. He blinked swiftly and wished he didn't have to cry in front of Ben, but maybe this would prove to show Ben that he meant everything. He kept his eyes shut tightly and clenched his fists as his body shook with tears. The emotion of reliving Xanatos' betrayal and the thought that he might have hurt Ben too much for the child to forgive him was too much for his composure to bear.

Suddenly he felt a strange warmth on his cheek. His eyes snapped open and he saw Ben gently using his small hand to brush away his tears. Ben's eyes were fluttering, trying to remain awake, but he was losing the fight. "Oh my Obi-Wan…" Qui-Gon whispered intensely. "I love you." He said as he reclaimed Ben's tiny hand in his own. His palm absolutely smothered Ben's and reminded Qui-Gon of just how small and frail this child was.

He watched a very small wave of confusion dance over Ben's face at the strange name before the boy gave a soft smile and closed his eyes. "I love you too." Ben whispered as he finally fell back to sleep.

Suddenly Qui-Gon felt this huge weight lift off his heart. He smiled and let out a sigh of relief. He shook his head, unsure of how Ben could possibly forgive him after the things he had said. But if the boy was willing, than he would accept it. Qui-Gon slowly stood and sat on the edge of Ben's bed. He kicked off his boots and turned to lift Ben gently. He then scooted beneath the boy and laid him on his chest.

He smiled as Ben turned in his sleep and latched onto Qui-Gon. The man wrapped his arms around Ben, holding him close. He laid his head back on the pillow and closed his eyes. He didn't fear sleeping this night. Not with Ben in his arms. His nightmares were behind him now. Now he had a bright future, a clean slate, as long as Ben was there, showing him the light and warmth of love. He patted Ben's shaggy hair and slowly fell asleep.

Mace Windu approached the healer's wing and slipped inside, easily flagging down a healer. "Where's Kenobi?" He asked, hoping Ben might know where Qui-Gon was so he could find his friend. The healer turned and pointed to a door that Master Windu immediately began approaching it.

Mace opened the door softly and slipped into the room, afraid of waking Ben if he were still asleep. When he stood inside a small smile hit his usually stoic features. He saw Qui-Gon and Ben lying in the bed, with Qui-Gon protectively holding onto the child. What caught Master Windu mostly though was the man's smile. In his sleep Qui-Gon bore the same relaxed and content smile he had before Xanatos betrayed him. 'So the boy saved you after all.' Mace thought to himself as he shook his head in amusement.

He was going to leave the room, however, noted that Qui-Gon was beginning to wake, so he stayed and approached the bed. "Hey." He said in a soft tone so he wouldn't wake Ben. Qui-Gon looked up at him and nodded with a small smile.

"Hey." The man whispered back, pushing himself up to sit gently and slowly so Ben was undisturbed. The child was able to move in his sleep, and still cling onto Qui-Gon with ease.

"I heard that Ben pulled through marvelously. That is good news." Mace said and Qui-Gon nodded in agreement as he looked down at placed a gently kiss on the top of Ben's head. "He's certainly grown on you, hasn't he?" Mace asked with a smirk hitting his features.

Qui-Gon looked down at the boy and nodded slowly. "He slipped his way in. Don't know how either, Force knows I fought it enough." He admitted and Mace shrugged.

"The Force knows what its doing. We just have to listen and go along for the ride." He said and Qui-Gon nodded, looking up at his friend.

"I'm going to make him my Padawan." Qui-Gon said, not surprised by how easily the words sounded. It was right; their bond was right. Mace looked surprised for a moment and then nodded.

"Well I can't say I'm displeased with that. Everyone thinks it would be good for you. He's young though. I think you're going to have to talk to the Council for permission." Mace informed and Qui-Gon shrugged nonchalantly.

"It should be my least argumentative conversation with the Council to date." He said and Mace let out a small laugh.

"Perhaps you should make it a habit. If you're serious though-."

"I am. I need him in my life, and he needs me. I was meant to meet him, and I was meant to train him. He is so strong in the Force, he will be a great Knight." Qui-Gon said, beaming as he looked down at the slumbering child once more.

"Of that, I have no doubt. I will say though…I think a lot of Knights and Masters just lost a substantial amount of money." He said with a shake of his head.

"Oh? And I'm sure a few just made out like bandits." Qui-Gon responded as Mace shrugged.

"Well…I for one plan on having a very nice dinner tonight." Mace said and Qui-Gon chuckled slightly. He quickly stopped, however, when the movement started rousing Ben. When he stopped the boy settled back in, pressing up closer against Qui-Gon and burying his face in the Master's tunic. One hand was curled up to his chest, holding the tunic softly, while the other wrapped around the larger man for stability.

Both Masters were quiet for a moment and then Master Windu jerked his head to the door. "Come on. He'll be asleep for a while yet and the Council is in session. We can work out the whole Padawan situation. Also, there is something else we need to discuss concerning Ben." He said and Qui-Gon looked up at him confused.

"Concerning him how?" He asked, sensing the seriousness of Mace's statement.

"Not here." Was all the councilor offered before stepping back and motioning for Qui-Gon to come with him. Qui-Gon nodded in agreement, though disentangling himself from the boy proved to be difficult he managed to stand from the bed without waking Ben. He then made sure all of the tubes and lines attached to Ben were still where they were supposed to be, covered him with a blanket, and then followed Mace out of the room.

The two turned and Master Windu looked over to Qui-Gon turned as they began shutting the door. "Welcome back, my Old Friend."

Ben woke slowly, and to the sensation that he was being moved. He didn't really understand what was happening, but soon enough felt himself lying softly on a bed once again, and covered warmly with a blanket. He was comfortable, so he didn't feel the need to protest it. He quickly fell back asleep, and didn't know how much time passed before he woke up once more.

He slowly batted his eyes open and looked around. He was in a room he didn't recognize, though something told him he was back in the Jedi Temple. His new home. He tried sitting up, when suddenly a strong hand gently pushed him back down. "Don't. Not yet. Your body is still weak." Qui-Gon's deep voice told him. Ben looked up at the man and smiled weakly and complied. "Are you thirsty?" Qui-Gon asked, and slowly Ben nodded.

The Jedi Master turned and quickly got Ben a glass of water. He returned to his side and very gently lifted Ben's head and pressed the glass against Ben's lips. He tipped it back softly poured the water into Ben's mouth slowly. The child pulled back when he was content and Qui-Gon set the remaining water on the table next to Ben's bed and laid the boy's head back on the pillow. "Are you hungry?" Qui-Gon asked, and Ben slowly shook his head and looked up at him contentedly.

"I'm fine." He promised, tugging the blankets up around himself. Ben brushed against the bandage around his stomach and paused to look down at the wound. He didn't need to speak his question.

"Your healer said you could be released in a few days. It might leave a scar, but that will only be temporary as the healer's can get rid of it." He informed and Ben smiled a bit more and nodded.

"Good." The child said softly and ran his hand through his hair. "What happened to Xanatos?" He asked as he had forgotten part of what happened last night, and Qui-Gon paused as he sat next to Ben once more. He still expected to feel pain. And yet, there was none. Only the knowledge that he had saved Ben.

"He's dead." Qui-Gon repeated with a light nod. "He won't hurt you anymore." Qui-Gon promised, lightly reaching out his hand. He wondered if Ben remembered what he said last night after telling him of Xanatos' fate. The boy didn't seem mad at him anymore, but he wondered if that was because of last night, or the near mortal injury.

"He was your Padawan." Ben stated in understanding but waited for Qui-Gon's confirming nod. "I'm sorry." Ben added softly as he reached out his hand and took Qui-Gon's. "But I'm glad you saved me." He said and Qui-Gon softly held his hand and nodded. He slowly raised it up to his face and kissed Ben's palm.

"I'm glad I saved you too." Qui-Gon said smiling as he slowly reached his free hand in his pocket and felt his river stone. He held it for a moment and then pulled it out and gently placed it in Ben's palm and he closed Ben's fingers around it. "I want you to have this." He said, and Ben slowly pulled his hand back and looked at the precious stone. His eyes were clearly expressing his shock.

"But…But it's yours." Ben said, holding it back out to him. Qui-Gon quickly shook his head, and pushed Ben's hand back.

"Not anymore. It's yours now." Qui-Gon promised and Ben slowly let his hand sink to his lap where he could look at the stone some more. "I want it to bring you warmth and light when you're afraid. So you can know that you're never alone my Obi-Wan." He said softly, and Ben looked up at him once more.

"Obi-Wan. That's what you called me last night." Ben said slowly and Qui-Gon nodded, glad he remembered what he said.

"I did." Qui-Gon said, letting his smile show. "It's from my native language. It means Child of Light. And that's what you'll always be to me."

Ben looked up at the Jedi Master in adoration. "Obi-Wan." Ben said softly and smiled brightly, clutching the river stone tightly. "I like it." He said honestly as his smile broadened. "I like it better than Ben." He continued and Qui-Gon smirked a bit as he leaned forward and kissed his forehead.

"Then that's what I'll call you." Qui-Gon promised as he patted Obi-Wan's head softly. Obi-Wan held the river stone tightly to his chest and slowly pushed himself up to sit. They were silent for some time, simply enjoying each other's company. A healer came in, quickly checked on Obi-Wan's status and then left them alone once more. That was when Qui-Gon spoke again. "I was able to talk to the council this morning before you woke." Qui-Gon informed, causing Obi-Wan to look up at him quickly.

"I spoke to them about taking you as my Padawan." He admitted, and immediately saw the hope in the boy's eyes. Qui-Gon gave a sad smile. "They rejected my request." Qui-Gon said, instantly seeing distress on Obi-Wan's face, but he raised a hand to stop him before he could say anything. "But not permanently. They just think that it is best to wait until you have been at the Temple a bit longer. You are a bit young to be an apprentice as it is. So the Council and I came to an agreement." Qui-Gon continued explained, finding the whole situation rather amusing.

Just before leaving for Ne'Arna the Council had tried to force him to take an apprentice. Now that he wanted one, however, they were forcing him to wait. It was ironic to say the least. "I will continue going on solo missions while you stay here at the Temple, where you'll work hard on catching up to your age mates. They said that on your 12th birthday I'll be able to take you as my apprentice. So, now I must ask you, Obi-Wan." He said, putting his hands on the child's shoulders. "Can you wait, and work very hard, so that they'll let me take you as my apprentice?"

Obi-Wan didn't hesitate to swiftly nod his head. "Of course! I don't want anything else. I'll work hard, I promise." Obi-Wan vowed and Qui-Gon nodded surely.

"I know you will." Qui-Gon whispered endearingly. "Now this doesn't mean I won't be here to help you. Whenever I'm not away on a mission I promise I'll be here and assist you with whatever you need." Qui-Gon spoke softly and Obi-Wan locked eyes with him.

"I'm glad I met you Qui-Gon." Obi-Wan said suddenly, catching Qui-Gon off guard. "You saved my life…Not just from Xanatos. But from the loneliness I felt every day." Obi-Wan finished, embarrassed, but strong in his words.

Qui-Gon was surprised at how much emotion he felt when Obi-Wan spoke, and he felt the need to cry once more. He restrained himself but pulled Obi-Wan in for a tight embrace. The child wrapped his arms around Qui-Gon and held onto him as well. Qui-Gon reached through that bond he had felt with Obi-Wan and found that it had strengthened ten fold since he last tried to shut it down. He smiled and rubbed Obi-Wan's back.

Together, they gave each other a fresh start, and their future looked bright.

So! It's over. Did you like it? I hope so. Again, thanks for all the reviews and feedback! I love every one of them. I never know what to say in response to reviews though, so that's why I don't answer. Don't take it personally that I didn't, because they're great. I just sound so stupid when I answer reviews, lol.

Also, there is a sequel written to this. Two, actually...I am considering posting them, but only if people are really interested in reading them. If you're curious about Mace's comment at the end about there being 'something' concerning Obi-Wan, that's in the sequels. So...I don't know. Just let me know!

Again, thank you!