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: (September 19th, 2005) Well, Aubrey has managed to get herself grounded for a month, so it's going to be just me for a while. Thanks to everyone who has been reading. I was secretly hoping we would break 1,000 views before I uploaded this chapter, but last I checked it was around 955 which was close enough. Hope everyone is enjoying. Mom and I have been working really hard on editing. We just finished Volume Two this past weekend and we'll be starting on Volume Three very soon.

Chosen
Volume One
Sooner or Later
Chapter VI: Cold

Qui-Gon had told Anakin they would go on their first mission together when he was ready. It was the Council who decided when a Padawan was ready, though. Apparently Anakin Skywalker was ready three months after his tenth birthday. So it was that he and Qui-Gon were summoned before the Council for their mission briefing. They were going to an icy planet on the Outer Rim. Quarreling villages were threatening to erupt into full-out civil war. The mission wasn't particularly dangerous, but very volatile. Qui-Gon Jinn was one of the best negotiators the Order had. Which was why the Council selected him for this particular job. Now he and his ten-year-old Padawan headed to the Outer Rim.

"Stay close to me, Anakin," Master Qui-Gon requested.

"Yes, Master," the little fellow agreed, shifting in his small thermal cloak. They were waiting for a shuttle. Anakin had been hoping his first mission would be on a warm, green planet, but he was not complaining. Traveling the stars was traveling, even if it was cold.

Staying close became difficult upon arrival. The situation was more dangerous than even the Council had been led to believe. As soon as they were off the transport they ran into a large melee.

"This is a diplomatic mission?" Anakin shot his Master a bemused look then quickly ducked behind him, shivering against the frigid wind.

"Supposedly," Qui-Gon shrugged helplessly, keeping a hand on Anakin's shoulder.

"Then what do non-diplomatic missions look like?"

"Much worse, my young Padawan, much worse."

Anakin shivered again, though not from cold. He didn't even want to imagine something worse than this. This was a massacre already! As for diplomacy, on this planet it was pretty much 'fuck you'! As soon as the words 'compromise' and 'talk' were out of Qui-Gon's mouth, the two Jedi were run out of town. Qui-Gon might have fought back with his Padawan, but did not feel he could put little Anakin in that kind of situation.

"Master, we don't have shelter," Anakin pointed out. They were trudging through the frozen waste. With dark coming…there was no way they could make it back to the ship before nightfall. Not without going through town.

"I know. That is a problem," Qui-Gon admitted, scanning the darkening horizon.

"And it's cold," his Padawan continued, wrapping his cloak tighter. Even in his lovely insulated Jedi boots his feet were numb. He wasn't used to cold weather and this was difficult.

Qui-Gon laid a gentle hand on the boy's head. "We will find somewhere," he promised. Anakin didn't look hopeful, but he trusted Qui-Gon so he just nodded. Punctuating the moment with a sneeze. They found no sheltered place to rest that night. At least they had survival packs and could put up a small tent, but in the frigid cold, it wasn't much. A perfect ending to a fabulous day.

That was how Anakin's first mission ended. In a tent, in the snow, sneezing, with a fever.

"Could have gone better, correct, Padawan?" Qui-Gon smiled gently. He was working to keep Anakin's body at a good temperature. The boy was cocooned in his cloak; leaning against his Master in an attempt to leech the much needed body heat. Anakin sneezed again, his eyes drooping heavily. He had a feeling sleeping now might be a bad idea, but he really was tired. His response of 'yes it could have' came out as a half conscious mumble.

"We should not have to stay long," Qui-Gon soothed the boy. "This war is already in full swing, negotiations are futile. I will contact the Council in the morning."

Shivering again, Anakin nodded and tried to burrow his face into Qui-Gon's chest. He felt as if his nose might fall off. Morning seemed far away. All he wanted was to get as close to the Master as possible.

Qui-Gon wrapped him up tighter in his large arms. Anakin just had a fever, he wasn't concerned about it, but he still had to keep the boy warm or Ani would perish in this sub-zero temperature. Blinking up at the old man, Anakin forced a smile and mumbled out a thank you, nuzzling still closer.

As the night dragged on the fever progressed. Unwilling to fall asleep for fear of dying, the little boy began to babble. He wasn't aware of what he as saying, just whatever popped into his mind.

"I love you, Master," came up at least once.

Qui-Gon smiled at the youngster when he heard that. Fevered ramblings were not to be taken too seriously. Still, it was endearing enough to bring a curve to the old Master's lips

Once the sun was up and some heat began to gather, Qui-Gon hurried to contact the Council so he could return his Padawan to the Temple. The Council was not pleased to hear what he had to report, though. The idea had been to prevent war. It was against the Jedi way to get involved now that conflict had started.

Jedi are keepers of the Peace not soldiers…

After some discussion the Council gave Qui-Gon permission to return. Had Anakin been awake he would have been happy to hear that!

Upon their return Anakin was taken to the Medical wing. Qui-Gon lingered while treatment was administered then he himself put the boy to bed. Some bed rest and the kid would be good to go. The Jedi Master returned several hours later to wake his Padawan and make Ani drink some water.

"Feeling better, little one?" he asked letting his hand rest lightly on the boy's forehead.

"Uh-huh," Anakin nodded sipping gratefully. "Thank you for taking care of me, Master," he added sincerely.

"Not at all, son," Qui-Gon replied, sitting on the edge of the bed. He waited patiently for Ani to drink what remained. When he took the empty cup from Anakin he leaned forward to press a dry kiss on his Padawan's heated flesh. His long hair tickled the boy's cheek. "Rest up," the Jedi Master encouraged as he rose.

Anakin's already flushed cheeks brightened further. He reached out and caught Qui-Gon's sleeve before the old man could leave. "Master?"

"Yes, Padawan?"

"Lean over," Ani requested shyly. He knew what he wanted, but couldn't reach.

Qui-Gon stared a moment, unsure, then smiled warmly. "What is it, Anakin?" he asked, bending over to hear the boy.

Anakin moved to him and returned the kiss. He wasn't trying for a cheek, oh no. He wanted to kiss his Master, on the lips. And he was going to!

Nonplussed, Qui-Gon straightened up and ruffled the lad's hair. Then with a smile he turned to leave.

Anakin did not enjoy just sitting in bed all day. As boring as his studies with Obi-Wan tended to be, he found himself longing for something to do. He knew, however, that Qui-Gon would hear of it if he got up. All he could do was wait for his Master to come for him.

After gathering his resolve, and at Garen's insistence, Obi-Wan came to visit Anakin. The boy would only be in bed for a few days, but Obi-Wan could imagine his boredom. He came bearing a small bag of sweets.

"Garen wanted me to bring you these," the Knight smiled pleasantly at the Padawan.

"Thanks!" Anakin grinned, accepting the bag excitedly. He didn't recall having treats before. Money had always been tight and it wasn't like candy was easy to come by in the wastelands of Tatooine. "I'm sorry about missing class," he added quickly. "Master won't let me get up."

"It's alright," Obi-Wan smiled pulling up a chair. "How was your first mission?" he wondered pleasantly. "Garen and I have a bet about whether it would be worse than his first assignment or not." Obi-Wan wasn't going to mention his premier mission, also a disaster.

"Cold," Anakin frowned. "The war had already started and they kicked us out of town."

"Hmm…not too bad," his teacher chuckled. "Garen crashed the transport into the ocean and got himself and Master Rimin stranded for a week."

"Really?" Ani suddenly didn't feel quite so bad about his ordeal. "Are all first missions like that?"

"I believe so," Obi-Wan mused. "Siri got us trapped in a brainwashing facility on her first mission."

"We really weren't that bad off, were we," the boy blinked thoughtfully. Yes there had been the potential for death, but no brain washing and they'd only been stranded for one night.

"Nope," Obi-Wan agreed.

"Well, that's good to know!" The little fellow took one of the sweets and popped it into his mouth. Almost instantly his face lit up. Candy was good!

"Get better soon, I do not have anything to do during the day without you," Obi-Wan teased, as he stood to depart.

"I will," Ani promised, punctuating it with a sneeze. "Sitting here is boring!"

"I know bed rest is dull, Anakin," Obi-Wan sympathized. "If you are here much longer, I shall send Garen to keep you company," he offered.

"You will?" the kid's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Well…thanks. He seems nice." Anakin hadn't really gotten to know Obi-Wan's friends, but Garen was always kind.

"One of my best friends," Obi-Wan nodded.

"Then I am sure I will like him," Anakin decided.

"I am sure you will," Obi-Wan agreed. "I best let you rest now, or Master Jinn will kick me out, Padawan," he smiled at Ani. "I will see you soon, Anakin." With that he started for the door.

"Bye, Obi-Wan," the little boy chirped after him. Ani lay back with a tired sigh careful not to crush the bag of treats. "Thanks for the candy!"

To Be Continued...