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: Doodle doodle doo. Shamelessly plug our story please.

Chosen
Volume Four
Immolated Destiny
Chapter III: The Tall Grass

Master Qui-Gon was waiting anxiously at the door when they returned. Having been gone for hours he assumed they would have something to report.

"We caught up with the bounty hunter, Master," Anakin relayed tonelessly, still furious at Zam Wessel's untimely death. "But, someone killed her before she could tell us who hired her."

"And?" the Master prodded.

"Changeling," Obi-Wan replied, shooting a glare Anakin's way. "Killed with this," he displayed the dart.

"Is Padmé alright?" Anakin wondered.

"I'm fine, Anakin," the young lady replied brightly from her bedroom door.

Allowing himself a smile, Anakin came to her. "That's good to hear my lady," he was very relieved.

"If we're done here," she said sleepily, "I'd like to go back to bed." She requested.

"Of course, Lady Amidala," Master Jinn nodded.

"Please, sir, it's Padmé," she corrected gently then went off to bed.

Anakin let out a relieved sigh, she was fine! He ran a hand through his hair. "We should report to the Council?" he asked his Master

"Of course," Qui-Gon confirmed. "Not tonight, though, Tomorrow."

"Very well, Master," Anakin yawned. He then excused himself to sit out on the balcony for quiet meditation. He felt certain that no other attack threatened Padmé for now. He must rest. Even if no true sleep came to him.

Qui-Gon pulled up a chair to sit right outside the Senator's door. Obi-Wan slumped into a corner, head back.

"Your Padawan is a worse pilot than you," he murmured.

Qui-Gon was surprised the man would speak to him at all. "Anakin is an excellent pilot," he replied cautiously. "And I didn't think I was so bad. What is it that bothers you, Obi-Wan?"

"You are both reckless, fly too fast."

A smile broke out on the elder Jedi's face. "Still afraid to fly, Kenobi?"

"I am not afraid to fly, Master Jinn," Obi-Wan replied evenly. "But, you've both almost killed me."

"I never," Qui-Gon started to protest.

"New Apsolon," his one time apprentice snorted, "After…after Mistress Tahl died. Ring a bell? Good. Conversation over," he closed his eyes in finality.

Qui-Gon fell into a thoughtful silence. He didn't recall much of that ill-fated expedition. He'd been in an uncontrolled frenzy most of the time. First to save his dear wife and then to avenge her untimely death. It was entirely possible that his rash actions had put Obi-Wan at risk. Both of them had nearly perished…

The Council was not pleased with their report. It was decided that Anakin would escort Padmé back to her home world of Naboo, she would be safer there. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were charged with continuing the investigation into the attacks on the Senator. Together they must solve the mystery of who had hired Wessel.

Although he couldn't argue, Anakin wasn't pleased about the assignment. He would be separated from Qui-Gon and alone with Padmé, on a beautiful planet. Obi-Wan was equally as unhappy. He felt dread curdling his stomach, literally. Leaving a bad taste in his mouth. Why was the Council making things difficult for him! He lingered after Qui-Gon and Anakin left the Council chambers. Kenobi argued and wrangled with the Masters till Yoda commanded him to obey.

Back in their apartment, "I don't like this," Anakin stated plainly. "I don't think we should be apart."

"We have talked of this, Padawan," the old man sighed. "I cannot always be with you."

"I know, Master," Ani's expression was sober. "But, I don't want to leave you." Not to be alone with Padmé, he added silently.

"We do not have a choice, Anakin."

"I know," the boy said, pressing against his lover. He kissed Qui-Gon gently. "That doesn't mean I have to like it."

Qui-Gon returned the gesture fondly. "Like it or no," he shrugged.

Anakin smiled despite himself. "I know that, too."

The next day Qui-Gon saw Anakin and Senator Amidala off to catch a freighter bound for Naboo. Anakin wished it were a private hangar so he could give his Master a more personal farewell. With so many eyes watching all he could do was bow respectfully.

"May the Force be with you, Padawan," old Qui-Gon said sincerely.

Padmé seemed thrilled. As if this trip home were merely a break between Senate sessions and not an effort to protect her life.

"Are you as nervous as I?" Anakin wondered glancing around as they joined the line of folks waiting to board.

"No," the pretty thing smiled up at him. He could sense that was not entirely true however.

"Well good," he chuckled. "Someone needs to stay calm."

As though trying to reassure them, the Senator's personal droid, R2 D2, chirped and warbled its willingness to remain steady. Anakin laughed at the notion of a guardian astromech. The tension eased around the young couple after that.

Not so for the pair of senior Jedi. It was sad how uncomfortable Kenobi and Master Jinn made each other. To make matters worse, the archive droids were absolutely useless in identifying the dart that had slain Zam Wessel. They had no clue as to its origins. Qui-Gon was trying to maintain his Jedi calm, but frustration was creeping up on him.

"Do you know anyone who might be able to identify it?" he asked Obi-Wan when the droids' scans came up blank, again.

"Yeah," Obi-Wan admitted reluctantly. He really didn't want to have Qui-Gon along when he went to see an informant, though. He recalled how unpleasant meetings with Qui-Gon's less reputable friends had been for him. And, he could just imagine Dex's response to the old man.

As if reading his thoughts, Qui-Gon spoke up. "Why don't you go look into it," he suggested. "I'll see if Mistress Nu has any ideas," he offered. The head librarian had to be lurking around here somewhere.

Obi-Wan nodded and left for the inner city. He was glad for the opportunity to be rid of Qui-Gon. Even if it meant going down into one of the seediest parts of town. His meeting with the corpulent Dex led he and Qui-Gon on an expedition to the mysterious planet of Kamino, beyond the Outer Rim.

While the elder Jedi traipsed through the galaxy following their only clue, Anakin was in the lovely lake country of Naboo, bonding with his ward. He wasn't sure how they'd gotten on the subject, but Padmé was describing her first boyfriend. It was a bit embarrassing for the teenaged Anakin to listen to her talk this way, describing 'dreamy eyes' and such.

"Alright," he cut in, "I get the picture."

Padmé gave him an amused look. "He was quite handsome," she finished.

"Well, that's fantastic," Ani rolled his eyes. "Have you had any relationships since?"

"Oh, no," she sighed, "far too busy."

"Of course," the Padawan snorted. "Politics."

"Precisely," Padmé agreed, giving him a gentle bop on the head.

"Personally," he said, flopping onto his back to stare up at the fluffy clouds floating by. "I wouldn't give up the one I love for all the political power in the galaxy."

"The one you love?" the gal teased.

"You heard me."

"And who might that be?"

Anakin's expression went serious as he sat up. "Can I trust you, Senator?"

"Of course, Anakin," the lady nodded. "You have my complete confidence."

"Well then," he reached over to pluck a wildflower. "Qui-Gon," he admitted his passion at last. He felt a little silly. He'd never before spoken to anyone about this. "I'm going to spend the rest of my life with him."

"Master Jinn?" Padmé repeated in amazement. She would never have imagined. The elderly Jedi Master and Obi-Wan Kenobi seemed so close…

"Yes," the boy chuckled. "You sound surprised. Is it so strange?"

The lady shrugged, "No. I just never considered such a thing."

"No, I don't suppose you would," he said, idly plucking at the flower's petals. "You asked," he added honestly.

"I know," she said quietly.

"Besides," he tossed the flower into her lap. "If you really love someone, it shouldn't matter who they are."

She stared at him a moment. "I guess."

"He wouldn't accept my love for a long time," Anakin admitted. "Sometimes I think our age difference still bothers him."

"It does seem only Master Yoda is older," the lass noted jokingly.

"He's not that old!" Anakin protested. "Plenty of Jedi are old than my Master."

"Old enough to be my grandfather," she shot back.

"Mine too," he shrugged, "As Master so often points out," he added with a laugh.

"I am not casting judgment, Anakin," Padmé said sincerely.

"Good," he nodded and lay back in the tall grass again. Talking about Qui-Gon made their separation that much more painful. He wished there was someway to contact the Master, but that was impossible. Comlinks were for emergency use only, and easily traced. He wouldn't put Padmé in danger.

To Be Continued...