Disclaimer: We don't own Star Wars.

Full summary: Sequel to Sooner or Later. At last Anakin has a proper Master one he loves and trusts, QuiGon Jinn. In the midst of their complicated romance, they're put to their first test as a team when there's a sudden slew of attacks on the Temple. QuiAni

Warnings: Slash, future shota, JA reference.

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

Fic type: AU, romance

Bizarre speaks: Aubrey says once a week isn't enough...so we're gonna stay on every Friday...and then another whenever I feel like it? Anyway...Why do we keep posting all this stuff? The disclaimer etc? So we don't get sued and because some people really don't bother to ever read it and if it's on every chapter, we aren't liable. Haha. We also got a new summary, cause Aubrey said the old one wasn't exciting enough. Hahaha. LEAVE REVIEWS. Do you people like it, or what?

Chosen
Volume Two
The Heir
Chapter III: The Sickness

Personal journal of Obi-Wan Kenobi-Knight of the Jedi Order:

03/18/03-26 BBY-12:00

Transport ship DISINTERPRET

Alderaan at last! I am looking forward to trying the famous whiskey, hope I'm not disappointed.

07/31/03-26 BBY-21:00

Rhomet, Alderaan

The Alderian whiskey is too sweet for my taste. Think I'll stick to the Bandomian gin. That reminds me of something I've been wanting to put down. I have another tattoo now. It's a miner's pickaxe. Done in blues on the back of my left thigh.

You know, miners and Jedi are similar in their need for strong drink.

In any case, I was on Dantooine, piece of shit planet, representing the miners in a land dispute. Diplomacy was working for a time, then the planetary government sent in attack ships. The miners holed up deep in the subterranean shafts knowing we'd be safe from bombardment. Too much precious mineral at stake for the government to bomb them out.

The crusty old diggers had a goodly cache of Bandomian gin to suck off of down there. Can you believe that! They shared gladly. There was this kid, reminded me of Anakin, young, blonde. He wanted a snort. After two shots he went red in the face, everyone laughed but he took it well. At some point he ended up passed out over my legs.

Those were great people. Maybe instead of visiting my family, I'll go back and see how they're doing on Dantooine? My brother Owen would be heartbroken, though. Even if he is jealous of my fabulous beard.

Anakin's mission to form other friendships was far from over. Every few weeks Master Qui-Gon insisted Ani go out and talk to someone. This was better than the large gatherings, but Anakin still found he didn't enjoy it. Jedi gossip too much!

"Master Windu is having a fit," Alluria announced.

Anakin regretted coming to see these gals almost immediately. But, he remained politely silent. Waiting for either to continue.

"Who did what now?" the other girl wondered.

"Kenobi has done something," Alluria continued, rolling her green eyes. "Again," she finished pointedly.

At the mention of Obi-Wan, Anakin looked interested. "Obi-Wan? What did he do?" he asked trying not to sound excited.

"Just a little 'rule bending'," Alluria informed him, making sarcastic quotation marks in the air. "Went off and did something without the Council's permission, against orders, too."

"How far did he go?" Melanah giggled. "Broke rank completely, I bet. Kenobi's more of a rebel than your Master, Anakin!" Skywalker frowned at what she was implying about Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon.

"Master is unorthodox," he muttered defensively, "not a rebel."

"Oh, but Kenobi is definitely a rebel," Alluria murmured dreamily. "I think he went back to Senali," she went on. "Obi-Wan argued with the Masters about that, last time he was here. He knows the royal families, personally, out there. He told the Council he was not going to let pirates take advantage of the Senalians," she sighed heavily, "By now, though, he may have saved them and has found a new cause worthy of his efforts!"

Anakin's expression fell. A new cause worthy of Obi-Wan? There was always a new cause, another mission!

Dark haired Melanah started coughing.

That was why Ani hadn't seen his best friend in so long! Now here he sat, with these strangers. Anakin barely registered that Melanah continued to gag and gasp. He was too deep in his own thoughts.

"I get it, Mel," Alluria huffed. "You can stop now. Hey, Mel?" Alluria laid a gentle hand on her friend's shaking back. Melanah's Force signature was diminishing, something was wrong! Anakin tuned back in to investigate when he felt the Force waver dangerously.

"I'm going for help," he quickly rose and headed for the door. He could clearly sense where his Master was. It wouldn't take long to find Qui-Gon.

Qui-Gon was trying to find out what had so disturbed his dark skinned friend, Mace Windu, that Mace had the entire fifth floor closed off while he argued with Master Yoda and other Council members. Qui-Gon had to stop and see what Anakin wanted, though.

"Master!" Anakin was frowning with worry. "Something is wrong."

Master Qui-Gon followed his apprentice curiously, pressing to a trot as he felt the urgency building. He was greeted by the sight of a Padawan, lying on the floor, gasping helplessly. Others flocked around her trying to identify the problem. They were unable thus far, due to lack of experience. The Master intervened, scooping the girl up and hurrying her to the Medical wing. Anakin and Alluria were on his heels the whole way.

The Healers took Melanah right away. Even after they managed to get the coughing to subside, they still didn't know what was wrong with the Padawan. The bystanders were eventually asked to leave so the medical staff could perform further tests to try and identify the problem. They were interrupted time and time again, as more Masters appeared carrying coughing younglings in their arms.

Due to the sudden epidemic the Council held an emergency meeting. Qui-Gon and Anakin were summoned before them once a conclusion was drawn.

"Until a treatment the Healers have found," Master Yoda informed them sadly, "Under quarantine the Temple is."

"This especially effects you, young Skywalker," Master Windu added quickly. "You were directly exposed and we do not know if this is contagious." Mace hated to admit not knowing what afflicted them. "You and Padawan Curran will be under observation. Though not restricted to the med wing unless symptoms appear."

"We cannot seem to find any particular pattern," Ki-Adi-Mundi took his turn now. "So many stricken Padawans. There are no warning signs. The victim is just suddenly in respiratory distress."

"Is there any report of illness among children outside the Temple?" Master Windu spoke up then. In the close quarters of Coruscant, virulent plague would be devastating. A tense discussion broke out among the Council members.

Qui-Gon made no comment, merely bowed for dismissal; then he and Anakin backed out of the chamber respectfully. The apprentice glanced at his Master in question. Qui-Gon had a serious look on his face so Ani knew to stay silent for now.

Qui-Gon had been in this situation before. He wondered if the criminal Jenna Zan Arbor had been freed from prison and sought revenge on the Jedi.

Anakin didn't speak till they were back in the apartment. He could still see Melanah's pale panicked face clearly. Etched into his mind…

They didn't know if this was contagious. What would happen to him? What about Master Qui-Gon? So far it had only affected children, but that didn't mean it couldn't harm adults.

"Master?"

Qui-Gon was so lost in thought that he didn't even look at Anakin. The Jedi needed Obi-Wan right now! Obi-Wan was the one who'd bested Zan Arbor. Obi-Wan knew this situation well. Qui-Gon could have used Tahl now, as well, to find who had funds to engineer a biochemical attack and get it into the Temple. But Qui-Gon had neither of them. It struck him deeply. His wife was gone, dead. And his former Padawan, Obi-Wan, who was a son to him, had disappeared.

"Master," Anakin repeated raising his voice slightly, though he could understand Qui-Gon being upset. "What's going to happen if they can't find an antidote?"

How should I know? Qui-Gon found himself thinking irritably. The gaze he turned to Anakin was calm, however. "I do not know, Padawan."

"Is it alright to feel," scared was the right word. Anakin wasn't going to use that, however. "Nervous about this?"

"Yes," the Master nodded. "There is a potential people will die. That is cause to be nervous. But, not at the expense of your calm and abilities."

"I'm calm." If Ani wasn't calm, it would be more obvious. "I just wish someone knew more."

"I think it is our job find out more."

"It's not the Healer's job?"

Qui-Gon cringed inside. Why was it that Anakin always misinterpreted him! They had been together for nearly six years, the boy should understand him, connect with his Master better. His other Padawans had never misunderstood so much.

"The Council expects us to find out what assails the Temple," the Master restated.

"Oh," Anakin nodded.

The question was where to look?

To Be Continued...