I don't like Anakin. If you like him, I'm sorry. Just to let you all know if you were wondering why I'm so hateful to him. I like Vader, if that makes any sense. Maybe because Vader is a dark and depressed and messed up soul… like me. J

Kudos to Kindred Fire (3 reviews! That last review was FUNNY!), Freakizimi (3 reviews!), The Storyteller (all will be revealed in time), Kimberly (3 reviews!), Heidi M (more than 1 review!), Ciria (more than 1!), Grassy Knoll Productions, obaona, Liyanette, Peggy Schultz, Natira, Stephanie, and the person who left a review w/ no name!

And thanks to all that I missed or messed up the number of reviews. Your kindess is always appreciated.

I have a problem: I can't see the chapters on my computer, but I know they are there b/c you are reviewing them, but if anyone has any suggestions to why this may be, PLEASE help me. Thanx.

~Blazer~
July 14, 2002

BREATHE

PART THREE:

COLLISONS

Qui-Gon was fuming with anger as he threw things into his pack. He wanted to tear the room apart. How dare the Council insult Anakin like that… it wasn't right as all!

Anakin was slinking around, carefully folding things into his pack. He was careful to stay clear of Qui-Gon's room.

Finally, Qui-Gon zipped up the case. Anakin had finished a long time ago and was quietly going over his notes for his classes. Qui-Gon swung the pack over his shoulder and walked into Anakin apartment. "Anakin, come on," he said in a loud voice. Anakin, accustomed to the silence, winced as he stood and walked behind Qui-Gon out of their joined apartments.

"Master?" Anakin asked hesitantly.

"Yes?" As Qui-Gon said the last word, his tone softened and warmth filled his voice. Anakin noticed the change in his voice, and his eyes lit up and he hid a smile. He loved being Qui-Gon's focal point, just as he had been with his mother. Thinking of his mother brought a pang to his heart, but he forced himself to ask a question.

"Master, are we going on a mission?"

Immediately, Qui-Gon felt ashamed. Of course he should have told Anakin first. Everything needed to be told to Anakin first. Anakin was important.

"Yes, Anakin." They exited the place and headed towards a transport that had been assigned to them. "Actually, this mission takes place on Naboo."

Anakin almost stopped dead. He had to command his legs to move. His tongue went dry and he started to sweat. He brought up his mental shields and blocked Qui-Gon from his thoughts and emotions. An image of beauty filled his mind, and he almost smiled.

"Will we see Padme again?" he asked casually as they walked up the ramp into the small ship.

"Queen Amidala," Qui-Gon corrected.

"Queen Amidala." Anakin said the name as though he were saying it for the first time. He let it roll off his tongue and hang in the air. He dreamed of Padme often and all of the dreams ended with beautiful images of her in his head. How he missed her and how he loved her.

"Yes, Padawan," Qui-Gon replied with a smile as they slid into some seats. He nodded at the pilot, who smiled at them cheerfully as he jumped into the cockpit and took off. "Queen Amidala has been the target of many assassination attempts. We're going to have to get to the bottom of this before the assassin strikes again. I'm sure she'll be happy to see you."

"And you," Anakin retorted with a smile. " You did save her life."

Something like a shadow crossed Qui-Gon's face and Anakin knew he had said something wrong. Qui-Gon turned away from his Padawan and stared out the window as they flew into the starry sky.

"And almost ended my own," he whispered.

~*~*~*~

The pain was so unbearable. Qui-Gon's stomach was on fire. He could feel the Force slowly leaving his body. At the same time, he could feel it beckoning to him, calling to him. It wanted him to close his eyes and admit defeat. Qui-Gon tried to gather strength around him, but the pain jabbed persistently and allowed him no control over anything.

" Master!" A second later Obi-Wan crashed to his knees beside him. He gathered Qui-Gon head in his arms and cradled him, struggling not to cry. At the same time he called on his own great power and brought it to touch Qui-Gon's wound.

"Don't, Padawan," Qui-Gon gasped, each word bringing excruciating pain to his abdomen. "My time has come."

"No, Master, no," Obi-Wan sobbed. He persisted and refused to give up. His own dwindling power forcefully clamped around Qui-Gon's wound and began to heal it slowly.

"You'll kill yourself," Qui-Gon panted. The thought of Obi-Wan dying to save him was even more painful than his stomach wound. He reached up with his last strength and grasped Obi-Wan's wrist. "Please."

"You won't die, Master," Obi-Wan said. His voice seemed to come in through a long tunnel. His image was getting fuzzy. Qui-Gon kept his eyes open wide so they wouldn't close. He had one last thing to say to his Padawan.

" Train Anakin, Obi-Wan. Please, train him. Obi-Wan… train him!"

Obi-Wan suddenly jerked back as though he had been hit. His eyes widened as if he couldn't believe what Qui-Gon was asking of him. Qui-Gon couldn't muster up enough energy to ponder what had caused Obi-Wan to jerk back.

" Master-" Obi-Wan started.

" Train him!"

Obi-Wan reached for his commlink as he pushed Qui-Gon away and fell off his knees onto his side. He slowly punched in a frequency. Qui-Gon was closing his eyes and giving into the call of the Force. He laid his head back and dipped into the cave of darkness lurking in the back of his mind.

"I need a medic," Obi-Wan gasped, his voice pain filled.

Qui-Gon closed off his ears as he blacked out.

~*~*~*~

Qui-Gon awoke from his meditation an hour later. Anakin was calmly reading beside him. He smiled at his Master when Qui-Gon popped his eyes open. Qui-Gon could not help but smile back. He stood up and stretched slowly, savoring the feeling it brought to his muscles. He really did need to get out more.

"The pilot said we should reach Naboo in a half-hour." Anakin could do nothing to hide the eagerness in his voice. He set the book down and ran a hand through his hair. " We've made great time. This ship has great speed for its model. "

Qui-Gon was barely listening. He sat back into his seat and nosed through his pack. Anakin had given up talking and was watching casually, not really caring what Qui-Gon was searching for. Finally, Qui-Gon withdrew his hand from the pack, fist closed around something. "Happy birthday, Anakin," Qui-Gon said quietly, slipping something into his Padawan's hand.

Anakin was surprised. He didn't know Jedi received anything for their birthdays. His last two birthdays had been quietly celebrated, with Anakin just reflecting on the last eleven and twelve years of his life. He hadn't enjoyed that. This morning he had already performed the exercise, and this year was slightly better because the last two years had been wonderful for him.

Anakin wasn't able to speak. He looked down at his hand.

It was a river stone.

~*~*~*~

Obi-Wan was not looking forward to meeting the Jedi. He didn't know whom the Council would send but chances were he knew them or they had heard of him. He was pretty sure that all Jedi knew his name and connected it with infamy.

Amidala had been sympathetic with him, but she had followed through with her choice. She refused to call the Jedi and send them back. She felt they were the only ones who could solve this mystery and allow her to live in peace. She had informed him the Jedi team should be there in one half-hour. He would need to be present when they arrived. She wasn't being cruel, but he was General of the Naboo Security Force, and General of the Naboo reserve army.

The Naboo reserve army. He did have to take the credit for that one. He had somehow managed to convince her that Naboo needed some sort of defense if some other system attacked them. He had taught a two-month class on the basics of war to anyone willing. The turnout had been huge, but they weren't regular soldiers. Basically they were militia. Obi-Wan liked that word. Almost like military, but ended with a 'ia'. Certainly better than the military, that was for sure.

Ever since three years ago, Obi-Wan had closed his ears to anything regarding the Jedi. He didn't hate them, he never had, but listening to news of them pained him. It reminded him of the sacrifice he had made, and why he had made it. The thought of why he had done it was too terrible to think of. Only Qui-Gon could possibly know, and he would never think…

Which was a good thing, he reminded himself. Otherwise, who knows what would have happened?

He wondered again what team the Council would send. A Master-Padawan team, no doubt. This mission wasn't particularly dangerous, if anything it would be more diplomatic than physical. It would be a good job for a young Padawan who had not been on many missions. In fact, this would be a good first mission for a Padawan.

Obi-Wan stood up from his place on his favorite bench. Anakin Skywalker was Qui-Gon's Padawan…he would be thirteen this year…perhaps he all ready was thirteen… and ready for his first mission…

Obi-Wan leapt up and walked as quickly as he could towards the palace. The ship would be docking in one half-hour! He needed to speak with his Queen. Perhaps she knew Anakin's birthday…

He charged into the palace at blinding speed, nearing knocking over Sio Bibble. " General!" Sio Bibble cried.

"Sorry," Obi-Wan called over his shoulder shortly as he turned a corner and proceeded towards Amidala's chambers. No doubt she would be changing into her royal outfits to meet the Jedi. Obi-Wan broke into a run a corridor away from the chamber. If Anakin's birthday was earlier this week…

He almost ran into the Queen herself as she marched down the hall. At the last second he veered off and crashed into Lieutenant Kikerio. " General!" she cried in anger as they knocked to the ground. Immediately Obi-Wan was on his feet helping his subordinate up. She accepted the help with a flinch. He could see her had wounded her pride, and he felt shame blanket him. He would never want to embarrass her, especially in front of the Queen and the Royal Guard.

He offered her a sweeping bow. " I apologize, Lieutenant. "

She eyed him angrily, but nodded. She had no choice.

"General?" Amidala asked. Many of the guards flanking her were looking at him funny, and all the handmaidens were giggling. Amidala herself looked as if she were about to burst into laughter.

" Your Majesty, I, need to speak with you. " Obi-Wan had a trace of scarlet in his cheeks.

Amidala got right back to business. " General, it will have to wait. The Jedi will be arriving sooner than expected. "

It was as if someone had poured a bucket of ice down Obi-Wan's back. The color drained from his face and his mouth tightened. The Jedi were arriving sooner than expected?

He noticed now that she was wearing her royal outfit. She looked splendid, but Obi-Wan took no notice of her beauty, but of the way it made her look more intimidating when she looked at him with her deep, sharp brown eyes.

He followed her on her right as she started to walk down the corridor towards the landing platform. He didn't notice that Kikerio gave him a dirty look as he butted her out of her place. " Your Majesty, are you positive I must see them with you? Perhaps Lieutenant Kikerio would be better fit. "

Amidala gave a firm shake of her head. "General Kenobi, I trust you with my life. I trust you will handle this situation in stride. Enough of these negative feelings. Perhaps they sent someone you know. Maybe they sent a friend. "

Obi-Wan didn't tell her that he wasn't sure if anyone was his friend anymore.

~*~*~*~

The ship landed gracefully on the land platform in front of the lake. Qui-Gon nudged the sleeping Anakin. The Master didn't know how he could have fallen asleep with the planet so close, but he had. He hadn't even been asleep for five minutes. Qui-Gon was sorry he had to wake the boy. He deserved rest.

Anakin leapt awake. He rubbed his eyes for a second, then grinned. " Thank you for waking me, Master. I don't believe I could have done so for myself. "

"Of course, Anakin," Qui-Gon as he grabbed his pack and stood to leave. Anakin followed him down the aisle. Qui-Gon thanked the pilot; paid him twenty credits, and strode down the ramp. He sensed Anakin happily following him.

Qui-Gon would never get used to the simple beauty of Naboo, no matter how many times he visited. The simple blueness of the sky marveled him. The exotic shrubbery of that gathered around the palace was the darkest and most beautiful shade of green he had seen. The water showed him his reflection and the mountains in the distance jutted in the sky. He could see the sunlight beginning to make its slow descent.

"It's more beautiful than I remember it," Anakin breathed.

"I agree." Qui-Gon smiled as a man ran up to them.

"Master Jedi?" the man said when he reached them. By the red armor Qui-Gon could tell that the man was a guard for the Queen.

"Yes, sir?"

"Right this way, please. I will take you right to the Queen. "

"Good," Anakin said before he could stop himself. Qui-Gon gave him a confused glance, but nevertheless followed the guard.

Qui-Gon became aware of a presence in the Force. It was undeniably strong, and it seemed familiar. Qui-Gon couldn't figure it out. The presence made him nervous and excited at the same time. He knew this being, but he could not place it. He tore into it, but shields yanked down on him, blocking him.

He had no doubt someone Force-sensitive was around, but he couldn't figure it out.

They entered the palace and as they neared the throne room, the presence became larger in Qui-Gon's mind. He glanced at Anakin, and found the boy looking back at him, puzzled. Qui-Gon offered a shrug as they entered the throne room.

The Force power almost knocked him down. Anakin seemed unaffected, thought, and he gazed at Amidala, excited. Qui-Gon heard a soft, almost inaudible cry in the room. His eyes quickly found the Queen.

She was fine. His eyes darted to her right, where a man stood.

Qui-Gon almost fell over.

Obi-Wan Kenobi.

~*~*~*~

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