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: Rawr. There is only one more chapter in Volume Four. Then you guys just have to suffer through Five and Six. But you know what? They're the most action packed Volumes, I promise. How would you feel if you knew these first Four were set-up? Silly, I'm sure. Anyway...Aubrey and I are a little sad about the number of people reading...Share with your friends! Shamelessly plug and drive-by pimp us!
Chosen
Volume Four
Immolated Destiny
Chapter VI: Twisted
"Anakin?" Someone was calling his name.
The stunned Padawan looked up. Obi-Wan was limping toward him. The Knight had a blood soaked bandage around one thigh and was leaning heavily on Padmé.
"Ani!" the young woman cried, seeing the terrible injury. The apprentice had been seriously maimed. The severed arm lay across the cavern from where Anakin knelt beside the body of his Master. Qui-Gon was still and pale. Was he dead?
"Anakin," Obi-Wan called to the boy again, when Ani didn't move. "You all right?" Stupid question, since he obviously wasn't. Obi-Wan tried not to cringe at the sight of the amputated limb. There was no chance of saving the arm. Anakin was forever more marked. As for old Qui-Gon…
"Master," Anakin whispered. His eyes were filled with dread. Not Qui-Gon too! The death of his mother had been terrible enough. To lose his dear Master, his friend, his lover...The young man didn't know if he could live without Qui-Gon.
"Go," Obi-Wan shrugged free of Padmé and urged her forward. "Help them."
The gal slowly approached, eyes wide in trepidation. The big Jedi looked like someone had blasted him good. Wisps of smoke still rose from the burned fabric and seared flesh. From the way he laid there it was apparent he'd been slammed into the wall. If he lived, he could have massive internal injuries from such an impact.
"Ani?" she said cautiously as she knelt across from him to feel for Qui-Gon's pulse. She could see Anakin was in shock. From more than the injury, horrific as it was. She reached under the singed ends of Qui-Gon's beard and fearfully laid a hand on his neck. The faint flutter of life made her gasp in surprise.
"He's alive!" she cried in relief.
Anakin looked at her wide-eyed. Fear and doubt played across his dazed features for a disbelieving moment.
"Oh, Master," he sobbed and sagged atop the old man, out cold. The pain, stress and anguish finally taking its toll.
Qui-Gon moaned under the boy's weight. His eyes fluttered open and he saw Padmé's smiling face. "Lady?"
"Easy, Master Jinn," she soothed when he tried to sit up. The prone Anakin was too heavy for either of them to move. She looked up at Obi-Wan who had shuffled closer, hampered by his own injury. "Can you help me?" She wondered if together they might lift Anakin.
For a moment the Jedi Knight just stared down at them. A strange look on his face.
"Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon whispered pitifully. "Please..."
Kenobi let out a tortured snarl and grabbed Anakin by one arm to yank him off old Qui-Gon.
The wounded Master gasped as the unconscious apprentice slid off him, twisting the broken wrist painfully. Then he, too, passed out again.
"Easy!" Padmé hissed up at Obi-Wan. She didn't understand, but sensed something was very wrong. Why was Obi-Wan so rough with Anakin?
It was at this point that others arrived to assist with Master Qui-Gon and his apprentice. Padmé remained silent, merely glaring at Kenobi.
x
Something was itching! Anakin was pulled up into consciousness by the nagging sensation. He tried to scratch at his irritated arm, but his fingers found only empty air. His eyes snapped open and he moaned. It was not some terrible dream. His arm was gone!
"Easy, Ani," Padmé's sweet voice whispered in his ear. "It's alright," she said stroking his hair gently. "You're alright."
The apprentice turned his head slowly to her and tried to smile bravely. The tears trickling down his cheeks ruined the effort, however.
"Oh, Anakin," the girl sniffed and hugged him tight.
"Master Qui-Gon?" he asked when she sat back.
Her bright smile made his heart soar in delight. "He's doing fine, Ani," the lady informed him. The relieved look on his face was wonderful to see. "Mistress Bant says he'll be up in no time."
"That's great!" Anakin sagged with relief. "Just great…" he mumbled then passed out again.
Next time he came around Qui-Gon was sitting at the bedside. The old Jedi had his eyes closed and Anakin could tell he was in a healing trance. For a moment the Padawan just stared at his mentor.
The Master was alive! Anakin sobbed softly with joy and relief.
"Little one?" Qui-Gon started at the sound then wrapped his Padawan into his big arms. Regardless of who was watching.
"Oh, Master," the kid gasped as Qui-Gon squeezed him tight. "I was so worried!"
Qui-Gon released him and sat back with a smile. "Me too," the old fellow admitted.
"I wasn't in danger, Master," Ani pointed out shyly. The frightful injury would scar him for life, true, but Qui-Gon had been very close to death, Anakin knew that. "I thought I'd lost you."
"You should have more faith in me, Padawan," the Master teased gently. It had been a close thing and Qui-Gon knew this as well. When Bant had called to him through the Force he'd barely been able to respond. He was still very weak, but insisted on attending to his apprentice, despite the Healer's protest that he should remain in bed.
Anakin tried to sit up then. He toppled over and would have fallen had his Master not caught him. What the! His balance was off, what was wrong with him?
"Slowly, Anakin," Qui-Gon whispered into his ear as the frightened kid clung to him.
"What's wrong with me, Master?" Ani stammered, not understanding.
Qui-Gon gently righted the Padawan and reached out to take the boy's new prosthetic arm into his big hands. "Durasteel is heavy, Anakin," the Master explained gently.
Ani's eyes went wide and he slowly glanced down. Gleaming metal and dark cabling met his shocked gaze. He moaned in horror. No, no…
"You will get used to it, Padawan," the Master said firmly, sensing the boy's rising panic.
Anakin was afraid he'd never be able to fight properly again. Never pilot again…touch his lover…
"Anakin!" Qui-Gon's firm voice pierced the cloud of anguish and fear that threatened to overwhelm the apprentice.
The boy looked up at him. Eyes bright with tears. "My arm, Master… it's gone."
"I know," Qui-Gon said softly. "You will learn to use this new limb, Anakin," the old man was confident and calm. "You will do just fine."
The Padawan sank back onto his pillow with a groan and closed his watering eyes. This was so awful!
Master Qui-Gon just sat beside the boy till Anakin finally fell asleep again. Then Mistress Bant came over and insisted the big Jedi go get some rest. They would care for Anakin
"He will need all your strength, Qui-Gon," she whispered, gently pushing the old man back to his own bed.
"Yes, ma'am," Qui-Gon had to chuckle at her fussing, but he was exhausted and sore all over. Curse you, Dooku, he thought angrily as sleep took him under.
To Be Continued...