Disclaimer: We don't own Star Wars.

Full summary: When Qui-Gon Jinn is spared from his death the future begins to unravel down a different path. A strong relationship of love grows between Qui-Gon Jinn and Anakin Skywalker, while a different seed of darkness begins to grow. Slash.

Warnings: Slash, future shota, JA reference.

Pairing(s): Eventual Qui-GonxAnakin (subdued GarenxObi)

Fic type: AU, romance

Bizarre speaks: I'm not entirely sure what Aubrey's updating schedule is, but just so you know, this story is already several months into the making. We are nearing the completion even now. So you don't have to worry about this being one of those stories the authors never finish!

Chosen
Volume One
Sooner or Later
Chapter IV: Anxiety

Anakin awoke confused the next morning. It took him a moment to remember that it was Master Qui-Gon in bed with him. He lay still and quiet, thinking about the coming day. It was to be his first lesson with Obi-Wan and he was nervous. He still wasn't sure if the young Jedi Knight even liked him. With his mind so active, going back to sleep was fruitless. Even if the solar panels of Coruscant hadn't turn for dawn yet.

His consciousness tugged at Qui-Gon. Keeping his eyes shut the Master ruffled Anakin's hair. The boy snuggled further into the warm embrace. Coruscant was chilly compared to Tatooine and he wasn't used to it yet.

"You are up early, Padawan," Qui-Gon said.

"Yeah," Anakin agreed, glancing at the window. "It's still dark."

" Are you anxious about today?" his Master inquired.

"Yes," admitted the little fellow, mumbling into Qui-Gon's chest.

"It's good to be ready to meet the day, Anakin, but not to worry over it."

"I'm not worried about the day," Ani struggled to explain. "I'm worried about Obi-Wan."

"Mind your feelings, my little apprentice, but give Obi-Wan a chance, eh?"

"I still don't think he likes me."

There had been tense vibes coming from Kenobi ever since Qui-Gon had offered him up for the trials. "Just wait till he's back to normal," Qui-Gon chuckled, still unconcerned. "He is still on a high from being Knighted."

"If you say so, Master," Anakin relented.

At Qui-Gon's prodding they finally rose, had breakfast and meditated before Anakin was shooed off to his class.

The young Padawan shuffled nervously into the classroom. Obi-Wan was already there. That did nothing to alleviate Anakin's stress. Regardless of whether he was or not, he felt like he was late. In fact, Obi-Wan had been sitting there for sometime. It took him a moment to notice when Anakin finally arrived.

"Hello, Anakin," he smiled unpleasantly. He was trying to be friendly but it came out strained. He cursed internally and sighed, motioning for the boy to take a seat.

Anakin obediently padded over to the little desk and hurried into his chair. Now he was certain about Obi-Wan not liking him.

"Has Master Jinn gotten to any book lessons?" the Knight inquired, twirling a datapad pen in his hands.

"No," Anakin admitted, absently fingering the edge of the desk. Had she been able, his mother would have schooled him.

"Well then, we will have to start at the beginning," Obi-Wan nodded and selected a datapad for Anakin. He recalled 'the beginning'. Classroom lessons were very boring and he felt badly for the Padawan. Not only would he have to teach the boy all this boring history, he would have to do it three times as fast.

Given the vague look Anakin was now sported, it was impossible to tell whether the kid was actually listening or just zoning out. His young teacher couldn't honestly say he knew what he was doing either, having never taught before. In the middle of the lesson Obi-Wan found himself agonizing over this assignment again. Why was the Council doing this to him?

After several hours of trying to keep his mind on the subject Anakin spoke up tentatively. "Um, Master, Knight Kenobi, sir, does the Jedi history have any actually…interesting parts?"

Obi-Wan sighed. They were only to the year 50RD (25,200 BBY). The Hundred Year Darkness didn't even begin until 43GR(7,000 BBY), some 18,200 years later…

"Eventually," he admitted.

Anakin sighed, crossed his arms and laid his chin down on his desk. Well, at least he had something to look forward to. After a few more mind numbing hours Obi-Wan gave up and dismissed the boy.

Poor kid, he thought, watching Anakin scamper off. He must think I'm a stiff bastard with a lightsaber up my ass.

Ani hurried along, trying not to get lost. He was supposed to meet Master Qui-Gon for lunch. The Jedi Temple was immense and it took him awhile to find his way back to their quarters.

"How was your lesson, Padawan?" the Master asked him pleasantly while they ate.

"Boring," the small blonde admitted honestly. "The Jedi didn't do much for a long time, did they, Master."

"The galaxy is billions of years old, Anakin," Qui-Gon chuckled. "A lot of things have happened. You'll get to them soon enough."

"That doesn't help me now." The lad had tried to pay attention, really he had, but his mind had wandered so much he barely remembered two words of Obi-Wan's lecture. That probably wasn't the best way to start his lessons.

"Patience," the Jedi Master chided.

Anakin blinked up at him and cocked his head thoughtfully. Then he grinned brightly. "I am being patient, Master," he stated cheerfully. "I stayed put through the whole thing."

Qui-Gon chuckled again. "Very good, my young Padawan." He gestured for Ani to eat up promising they would do something more interesting later. It didn't take much urging to get Anakin to eat. Growing up in slavery had given him a fine appreciation for the Temple's food and today was no exception.

"What are we going to do today, Master?" Ani wondered once he was done.

"You'll see," his Master said mysteriously.

"Well…when are we going to do it?" he tried a new approach, bouncing excitedly in his seat. Qui-Gon's only answer was a smile.

They finally set out for the combat training rooms. Anakin could have hopped the whole way. He loved training with Qui-Gon. Even boring stuff seemed fun with the Master. If this was something deliberately meant to be interesting, he could hardly wait! Qui-Gon's great plan for the day was a coordination game involving lightsabers and balloon like objects. Anakin enjoyed the challenge immensely. He still had valuable things to learn about lightsabers!

"That was great!" The little apprentice really was hopping up and down as they made their way back home after practice. One of his hands fondly clutched at Qui-Gon's sleeve, like parent and child. His face was alight with satisfaction.

Qui-Gon smiled at his joy. "I'm glad to hear it." Not all Jedi learning was so much fun.

"Hey, Master," Anakin piped up suddenly, "You mentioned field practice, right?"

"Yes," the big man nodded.

"When are we gonna do that?"

"Not for a while yet," Qui-Gon informed him patiently. "You have much to learn first."

"Alright," the kid said agreeably. "I was just wondering…am I going to get to see lots of different worlds?"

"Hopefully."

"I really want to." Ani had already told Qui-Gon he wished to see all of them. He looked forward to the time when he was ready. But he'd never get to see them all if he never got started. Qui-Gon just smiled at the child's enthusiasm. Their next activity was the, ever exciting, meditation. Anakin resisted but it was something that Jedi must do.

Things continued this way for several weeks. Anakin would wake up far earlier than he needed to, lie in bed for hours before breakfast, then wander off to class with Obi-Wan, come home for lunch, train, meditate, dinner, sleep.

The pattern went on uninterrupted until Anakin decided to take Obi-Wan's blatant dislike into his own hands and confront the man. He hung around after class one day, until he was acknowledged.

Obi-Wan was desperately trying to be a good instructor. He really was trying and TRYING! It was difficult, though. After his classes with Anakin he usually went to the gardens to find a quiet spot to meditate on his unsettled feelings. Seeing the boy hanging around was annoying.

When Obi-Wan made no move to address him, the Padawan spoke up. "May I ask you a question, sir," Anakin finally requested.

"Uh, yes, Anakin?" the Knight wondered, gathering up his teaching materials and dumping them unceremoniously into a satchel

"What did I do to make you not like me?"

"What?" Obi-Wan blinked in surprise.

"I know you don't like me," Anakin clarified, watching him thoughtfully. "I can feel it. I was just wondering why."

"No," his teacher said flatly. "I do not dislike you, Anakin."

"Master says it not the Jedi way to lie," the boy stated. There was mature honesty in his tone. "I can sense bad feelings from you."

"No, no, Anakin," Obi-Wan repeated helplessly. "I am not lying."

The child still looked skeptical. He crossed his arms and leaned against the doorway watching Obi-wan with no apparent inclination to leave till he was satisfied.

Obi-Wan approached him slowly. "Really," he told the Padawan gently.

"You're not angry that Qui-Gon is my Master?"

The taller man rolled his shoulder uncomfortably. "Why would I be?" he wondered.

"Because he was your Master."

"All Padawans must leave their Masters eventually, Anakin," Obi-Wan said firmly. Then he slid past the kid and out into the hall. He walked off without a backward glance.

Anakin stood watching his back a moment, not completely satisfied. Then he shrugged and hurried off. He was going to be late for his meeting with Master Qui-Gon. Especially if he got lost…again.

To Be Continued...