Disclaimer: We don't own Star Wars.
Full summary: Sequel to Reunion. A year later our Jedi cohorts are brought together again. This time to protect Lady Amidala from the attempts on her life. How will these familiar tidings ride differently now that Qui-Gon lives, Anakin loves him, and the cold fires of bitterness burn in Obi-Wan's heart?
Warnings: Slash, JA reference, drugs, and violence
Pairing(s): Eventual Qui-GonxAnakin (subdued GarenxObi)
Fic type: AU, romance
Bizarre speaks: Nanana, I like that old time rock'n'roll. I want some stuff to start 'appenin'! And it will. OH. IT WILL.
Chosen
Volume Four
Immolated Destiny
Chapter II: Still
After a predictably long amount of time, Kenobi and Aurelia reappeared.
"That room is secure," Obi-Wan stated with an air of satisfaction, scratching his beard idly.
"Great," Anakin rolled his eyes. He was tired, cranky. His arousal at Padmé's presence wasn't helping at all. "I'm sure you even went so far to make sure the plumbing was clear," the apprentice huffed. "You certainly had time."
"Indeed," Aurelia purred. "The pipes are clear."
Both Qui-Gon and Anakin gave Obi-Wan an irritated glare. Kenobi just grinned.
Letting out an exasperated cough, Anakin rose and went once more out onto the balcony. The solar panels were turning, letting the natural starscape illuminate Coruscant.
After a moment a large, friendly hand came to rest on his shoulder.
"Senator Amidala is retiring," Qui-Gon murmured. "And the lady Aurelia has left."
Turning to face his mentor Anakin smiled slightly. "This is not my ideal mission," he finally admitted his unease. "Just waiting irks me." He turned back to the railing with a sigh. For a moment they just watched the heavy traffic speed by. "I'd rather be doing something."
"Think of it as an exercise in patience, my young apprentice," the Master soothed.
"I know," the Padawan nodded. "I could do without the company, too," he glanced at Qui-Gon anxiously. "Obi-Wan," he started haltingly. "He's changed, different than when I was a child." The young man paused to collect his thoughts. "I know it's been a long time and that change is to be expected. I should just accept him the way he is and move on, but," he trailed off miserably. "It's fine, I do accept it. Everything is fine.
"Jedi do not lie, Anakin," Master Jinn chided gently. He could see the boy was struggling with a lot of things right now. Obi-Wan, Padmé and the danger she was in. Anakin's obvious feelings for her…
"I am probably worried about nothing," the apprentice concluded firmly. He looked up at the night sky, partially obscured by the many skyscrapers and soaring towers of the Galactic City's skyline. "I'm just tired," he confessed.
"You rest awhile," Qui-Gon urged, "I will stand watch."
The boy shook his head. "No, that's alright, Master," Ani insisted he would stay at his duty. Truthfully, the boy was fearful of the horrific visions that plagued his dreams.
His mother, suffering in anguish…her ultimate demise…
These haunting images filled his mind every time he closed his eyes. It was enough to make him give up sleeping altogether. Anakin felt Qui-Gon's warm breath wafting at his ear.
"At least relax, Padawan." It was not a suggestion.
"Yes, Master," Ani agreed leaning against the big Jedi. "I will try."
They were so wrapped up in each other that they didn't even notice when the probe droid buzzed by, on its' way toward Padmé's window. They didn't notice as the droid cut a hole in the glass and dropped the poisonous insects into the sleeping gal's room. Once the killer bugs got close enough to her however, alarms went off in the Force. They quickly disengaged and rushed to the scene.
Fortunately the third member of their team was more alert. Once again Obi-Wan was the first to engage the enemy, while they lingered in each other's arms. Kenobi had sliced the slithering assailants to smoldering bits and without a moment's hesitation leapt through the window to grab the hovering droid.
Padmé sat up wide-eyed in bed, frightened beyond belief. "What--?" she stammered helplessly.
"Stay put, lady," Master Jinn commanded once he saw she was unharmed. "Anakin, go!" he instructed the Padawan to find a speeder and go after Obi-Wan. He would stay and ward the girl since Anakin was a much better pilot.
Without a word the apprentice raced off.
Obi-Wan was hanging precariously from the droid as it dove through the dense airborne traffic back to its' master. Kenobi was having second thoughts as he swung this way and that to avoid being crushed. When the bounty hunter, Zam Wessel, took a shot at him on approach he was really sure he'd made a fatal mistake.
Luckily, Anakin arrived just in time to catch the falling Knight, before Kenobi was a messy smear on the streets below. Well, catch, wasn't quite the word. Obi-Wan landed hard on the speeder's tail with a 'whoof' of lost air. It was good enough, though. Obi-Wan was alive to crawl painfully into the cockpit.
"Thanks," he muttered keeping his eyes on the fleeing assassin's vehicle. "There," he pointed it out to Anakin.
"Yes, sir," the kid grinned and throttled up, Sending them careening through traffic recklessly.
"Slow, down," Obi-Wan snarled.
"I'll lose him," Anakin protested, diving under an oncoming cruiser. Missing the other ship by mere centimeters.
"Anakin, slow down!" Obi-Wan shouted again.
"Don't worry, Obi-Wan," Anakin glanced at the Knight. Obi-Wan had a white knuckle grip on the control board. "I'm pretty good at this. Trust me, it'll be fun" he said with a chuckle as the speeder dipped sharply to avoid a slow moving transport vessel that cut across their erratic path. Obi-Wan sucked in a sharp breath and went pale. He didn't trust Anakin one bit!
The Padawan had some very bizarre ideas of what was fun and his flying was almost suicidal. He nearly crashed them into a massive Corellian freighter that was taking off and flew them right through a multi tiered power coupling, sending a terrific jolt through them both that nearly crippled the speeder. Then the crazy kid headed in the opposite direction from their quarry, saying it was a short cut.
Obi-Wan nearly smacked the Padawan upside the head. It took all his Jedi self control to resist the impulse. "You lost him," he accused flatly as they coasted to a halt, hovering above an industrial complex.
"My apologies," Anakin murmured absentmindedly. He was looking over the side of the speeder then suddenly tumbled out to plummet earthward. He timed it so he came to a banging halt atop the assassin's approaching ship with a thud.
Obi-Wan's oath of surprise followed him down. Kenobi cursed further as he scrambled into the pilot's seat and sped off after them.
When he finally caught up with Anakin, the apprentice was shoving through the pedestrian throng. Leaving behind the Changeling's wrecked speeder and heading for a crowded bar. Zam Wessel had fled in there for cover. They had to apprehend the villain to get some answers.
Unfortunately, when they cornered Zam, she herself fell victim to a poisonous dart hurled from above. She was dead and could tell them nothing.
"Damn it," Anakin snarled in frustration. He pursed his lips in dismay and walked off, just leaving the corpse and trusting that Obi-Wan would follow.
To Be Continued...