Disclaimer: We don't own Star Wars.

Full summary: Sequel to The Heir. QuiGon Jinn and Anakin Skywalker are once more being united with ObiWan. Much has changed over the past five years. Will they be able to work together with each of them harboring dark secrets? QuiAni

Warnings: Slash, JA reference, drug use, language

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

Fic type: AU, romance

Bizarre speaks: So we're halfway through, sugars. Try not to commit suicide any time soon! Anyway, after this update (Saturday, but did it Friday night) you'll have to wait until next Friday, then until the Thursday after that. Because that's what I've decided.

Chosen
Volume Three
Reunion
Chapter VI: Let Go

After several painfully long hours, Obi-Wan nudged the ladies awake. Both came quickly to alert. Stress was visible in Aurelia's features.

"We cannot be seen," Obi-Wan reminded Meroe. The gal nodded as they crept back into the secret passages below.

"Where are we meeting this contact, Master?" Anakin whispered as they marched along.

"Princess Meroe said this man, Lij, has a trading vessel," Qui-Gon told him. "I would guess a hangar, at the space port."

They were behind the palace, however, when they emerged. A sandy haired man was waiting, with a large shipping crate.

Meroe hurried forward to embrace him. "Oh, Lij!" she cried, so glad he'd come. "We have to hurry. No one must see."

"All right," he smiled at his little princess. "Everyone into the box."

"You think all of us will fit in there?" Obi-Wan asked incredulously.

"Nah," Lij snorted. "You and the big guy are going to help carry it," he explained. Reaching into his pack he pulled out orange uni-suits and tossed them to the elder Jedi. "Put those on and no one will think twice."

Anakin glanced at the crate, then to Qui-Gon and finally princess Aurelia. "After you, highness," he invited her to climb in with a sweeping gesture.

Aurelia quickly kissed her sister before climbing into the metal container. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon struggled into their disguises and tucked their hair under grubby crewmen's caps. They looked fairly nondescript. Though Qui-Gon's height could not be masked.

"See you later," Anakin said gamely, getting into the crate with Aurelia. He wasn't sure how appropriate stuffing a princess into a box was, but her safety required it.

The three men hefted the container as princess Meroe disappeared back down the tunnel.

Anakin needlessly kept his eyes closed during the trip to Lij's ship. It helped him to stay calm and focused on his surroundings. The princess' closeness was a bit distracting. Her sweet smell filled his head and he lost concentration several times. She squeezed his arm nervously when they finally came to a jostling halt and felt the crate being lowered. The Padawan patted her hand in reassurance.

Someone was activating the release mechanism on the containers lid. Anakin tensed up, wondering if it was friend or foe. Just then, Master Qui-Gon sent a rush of calm to him, through the Force.

'Steady, Padawan!"

The top of their cage sprang open and Anakin rose to assist the princess in climbing out. They were already aboard ship, in the cargo bay. Qui-Gon wasted no time in hustling them to a crew cabin.

"You must stay in this room, highness," the Master insisted. "Until we make Coruscant."

"Are you holding me prisoner?" she asked.

"We cannot have someone spotting you, dear," Obi-Wan explained. "And thinking we Jedi have kidnapped you," he grinned.

"As you say," she returned the smile.

"I think I might be claustrophobic," Anakin commented later.

"Oh?" Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow but Anakin said no more. "Come, Padawan," the Master started for the door. "Let's have a look around. You can stretch your legs."

"Yes, Master," Anakin agreed.

Qui-Gon wanted to check and make sure things were secure and no assassins hidden on board. He also looked into any escape pods, should the need arise.

"We're going home, right?" Anakin asked hopefully.

"Yes," Qui-Gon replied. "We are taking the princess to Coruscant."

"She won't be completely safe there either, Master," the Padawan pointed out.

"True, But our mission will be over," Qui-Gon smiled at the boy. "The Council will decide how best to protect her."

Anakin nodded in understanding and folded his arms into his big cloak. He glanced out the view port at the starscape streaming past. With someone's life on the line the apprentice always felt unsure. Unsure of what would come next…

The trip on Lij's transport ship was uneventful and they landed safely on Coruscant.

"I'll tell Meroe you arrived, highness" Captain Lij assured Aurelia.

"You take care of my little sister, sir," Aurelia replied with a knowing smile.

The Jedi and their charge headed for the Temple. Though it was the princess' first time in the Galactic capital, she did not gawk at the soaring structures and myriad of speeding vehicles. Her gaze remained composed and calm. She would have made any monarch proud.

The debriefing with the Council was short. Master Qui-Gon did most of the talking. Then Aurelia was given to the care of others. Ladies of the Order. Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan and Anakin were dismissed and sent on their way.

Obi-Wan didn't even say goodbye. He just walked off unhurriedly, in search of Garen. He wanted to be away from Qui-Gon! He hoped his friend could make him feel better. Some mind altering substances might also be involved.

Anakin and his Master returned to their quarters in silence. The Padawan was so disappointed! He'd spent years waiting to reunite with Obi-Wan. Now, well...the event had not lived up to his expectations.

"Another assignment completed, eh, Padawan," Qui-Gon said pleasantly as they tossed cloaks aside. According to routine, Qui-Gon would ask Ani to reflect on the mission, to see what the apprentice had learned. For some reason Qui-Gon hesitated, sensing that Anakin needed to relax first.

The Padawan finally joined him on the couch. They just sat there in silence for a time. Then Anakin turned to regard the Master. The boy finally leaned closer and gave Qui-Gon a long, deep kiss. The Master returned his affection, holding Ani tight.

With Obi-Wan around things had seemed so tense. More so than they ought to. Qui-Gon had not spoken to Obi-Wan as he would have liked. To clear the air between them, and this distressed the old Master greatly. He could always count on Anakin, though, to bring him back to 'the Now.'

"I love you," Anakin said plainly. Somehow they were lying down. "Do you love me?" the apprentice asked hopefully.

"Yes, Anakin, very much."

"Show me." It wasn't a request, wasn't a command, "I am not a child anymore, Qui."

Their eyes locked. This was no light matter! Qui-Gon didn't know if he was ready for thism, let alone Anakin.

"Please," Ani whispered, kissing the Master again. "Please, Qui-Gon," he repeated firmly. "I am ready. I have been ready for years!"

"Anakin," Qui-Gon started gently. "I cannot," the old man shook his head. "It would change things."

"Like what?" Ani wanted to know. "I love you, I will always love you. How does a physical relationship change things?"

The fact that he asked said so much. "There will be trouble," Qui-Gon insisted. "Especially if we are found out."

"Then we won't get caught," Anakin grinned.

"Anakin, think!" Qui-Gon urged desperately. "With your mind."

"I am, Master," Anakin knew what he wanted. What he'd wanted all along. He wanted Qui-Gon. Wanted Qui-Gon to want him. "I know it sounds stupid. But, this is right. It's…"

Qui-Gon kissed his lips softly to silence him. Barely touching before pulling away quickly. Ani felt more tickly beard than actual kiss.

"Anakin, our relationship must be one of…trust and respect, more than love," he said gently. "I cannot allow it to become otherwise. Anything else is wrong." He held up a hand when the boy started to protest. "I want you to think about it," he requested seriously. "Is that all you want from me? Is this what you have striven for? If so, I will not give it to you."

"I didn't say that!" Mistrust? Respect? These were not even issues to Anakin. He really was innocent. "I don't love you because I want you, Master," he insisted. "I want you because I love you!" the boy was near to tears. "I just want…" How to put it into words? He desperately wanted Qui-Gon to love him, always. To be there for him, with him. He needed reassurance and confused it with desire.

"What do you want, little one?"

"I want you," Ani said again. "All of you, the rest of my life. I want to know you are mine and mine alone. For always. That you'll never…" he trailed off unsure. "That you'll never…leave me. That you love me," he finished with a little sob.

Qui-Gon kissed him once more.

"I…love you…"

"I hate him," Obi-Wan moaned, glaring up at the ceiling. "So much."

"Jedi don't hate, Obi-Wan," Garen pointed out, blowing smoke. The vapors wafted sluggishly above the bed.

"Fine," Obi-Wan snarled. "I don't hate him."

"Come on. You hadn't given him a thought in years. Now one mission and you're all in knots," Garen remarked evenly. "So he treated you like always, like crap."

"Why am I never good enough?" Obi-Wan said irritably.

"Obi-Wan," his friend sighed, setting aside the blunt and rolling onto his side next to Obi-Wan. "We've been over this. You are fine," Garen's hand traced the tattoos on Obi Wan's bare flesh. "Remember these, why you got these?" he asked gently. "To remind you of all you have done. All the people you've helped. Of course you are good enough, Obi. More than good enough!"

"Not for him, Garen."

"He's a blind old fool," Garen murmured, pressing his lips to Obi-Wan's "Let it go," he breathed.

Obi-Wan continued to sulk so Garen slid atop him. Pressing him into the soft mattress.

"Let go, Obi-Wan," Garen repeated forcefully.

The fag burned on unattended…

To Be Continued...in Volume Four: Immolated Destiny