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Full summary: Sequel to Immolated Destiny. As the Clone Wars rage around them, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi attempt to rebuild the broken bridges between them. But the Master's romantic entanglements with Anakin Skywalker continue to cloud his judgment...even when Obi-Wan's life is on the line.

Warnings: Slash, JA reference, drugs, and violence

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

Fic type: AU, romance

Bizarre speaks: I named this chapter as I did because...Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan get so close and then... (and Happy New Year!)

Chosen
Volume Five
The Seeds of Darkness
Chapter III: Interruption

Qui-Gon finally managed to locate clean water and gather some edible roots. It had taken some time. He was very cold and couldn't remember feeling this tired in a long time. Upon reentering the meager shelter and seeing his companion his spirits sank further. Obi-Wan looked worse. His skin was waxy and drawn tight. The Knight had obeyed orders and was huddled up in the blankets asleep, sweating.

Qui-Gon didn't know what he was going to do. It would be difficult enough providing for himself. On top of that, he had the sickly Obi-Wan to care for. He supposed that was the point of stranding them out here. A slow, painful death…

"I guess I should figure out how to cook this," he said to himself, eyeing the limited provender.

"You're a terrible cook," Obi-Wan mumbled from within his cocoon of bedding.

"And you are in no position to complain," the Jedi Master said lightly. He really wished for his lightsaber now. That would have made things simpler. He began puttering around in an attempt to cook the tubers and finally managed to get the roots softened.

"There's no way we can escape on our own, is there," Obi-Wan spoke again.

"Not unless you have a ship hidden in your robes, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon shook his head. "We could not leave even had we the means," he added seriously.

"Why's that?" Obi-Wan wondered.

"We do not know where Anakin is." The Jedi Master was not abandoning his Padawan.

Obi-Wan's eyes narrowed and he slithered out from under the blankets. With a tortured effort he pulled his arms free of his soiled tunic and tossed it aside. He then tried to reach behind his back but began coughing and trembling.

"M-my hands are shaking, Qui-Gon, you will have to do it," he stammered.

"Do what?" the big man came closer.

"Bant implanted an emergency beacon," Obi-Wan explained. It had actually been Reeft's idea. Obi-Wan's friends were very concerned when the maverick Knight would disappear for long periods. "Follow along my spine, below the ridge of scar tissue."

Qui-Gon located the spot and forced the device up through Obi-Wan's skin to activate the beacon. "I will not leave without Anakin," the Jedi Master said firmly.

Obi-Wan winced at the stab of pain. "I'll not die here because of him," he replied gruffly.

"You go," Qui-Gon insisted. "I will find him."

Obi-Wan merely grunted and pulled on his top. He wouldn't die for Anakin! But, he didn't know how much longer he could survive with this poison flowing through his veins. He could slow the effects using the Force, but could not expunge the toxin.

"Rest now," Qui-Gon said, forcing Obi-Wan to lie down again.

The food supply wouldn't last long. With a resigned sigh, Qui-Gon realized he would have to venture out into the biting cold again.

Not only was the food in short supply, Obi-Wan was unable to benefit from even the meager sustenance. He struggled to eat and once he got a little of the vegetable broth down, he would simply throw it all back up in a bloody mess.

They had yet to hear any reply from the distress signal. The situation was bleak and for the first time in his life Qui-Gon was at a loss. He could think of no way to get out of here. Not that his plans always worked, but usually he came up with something. At the moment his only thought was to take things minute by minute.

"What can I do, Obi-Wan?" he asked once the shaking Knight crawled back from vomiting outside. The big Jedi eased the sickly man off the floor gently. Kenobi seemed to have shrunk over the past few days. He swam inside his filthy clothes. He was pale and sweating. The day before had been a tremendous battle with withdrawal and today wasn't looking much better.

Obi-Wan stared up at him dully. "Don't tell anyone you saw me like this, Master," he mumbled weakly.

"Not a word," Qui-Gon promised, getting Obi-Wan back onto the cot. He desperately wished there was something he could do to ease Obi-Wan's suffering. And he worried about Anakin as well. He didn't even know where his Padawan was!

Obi-Wan is right here and still I can do nothing, he realized sadly. It was very demoralizing.

Another spasm ripped through Obi-Wan. He was too hot! He was too cold! His skin prickled and itched. His head throbbed and his eyes would not focus…

"Have you been back to Senali?" he wondered absentmindedly. During his apprenticeship they'd gone there on a mission. It was a beautiful place, covered with sweeping white beaches and warm gentle currents. Breathtaking…

"Not recently," Qui-Gon said.

"Me neither," Obi-wan shook his head. "Not recently…" he trailed off weakly. "It's so hot," he moaned pitifully.

"Take off one of the blankets," Qui-Gon suggested, knowing it would not help.

Obi-Wan winced as another cough racked him and spat blood from his mouth. Then he groaned feebly and his eyes rolled back in his head.

Qui-Gon felt a pang of panic and shook the Knight. "Obi-Wan!" he cried. "Do not fall asleep. Obi-Wan, talk to me!" he said firmly, jabbing at Kenobi through the Force.

"Nnn?" the Knight mumbled.

"Stay awake," Qui-Gon repeated. "Tell me about the tattoos, Obi-Wan" the Jedi Master urged, running his fingers over Kenobi's arm.

"J…just pictures," Obi-Wan shivered, "Aurelia is there…and Lena. Do you see her?"

Qui-Gon searched through the colorful images. "Yes," he said after a moment. "I see her." He recalled the lovely Lena. He and his Padawan had been sent to protect her as a material witness. Young Obi-Wan had fallen for the lady.

Obi-Wan continued to babble deliriously. When sleep threatened to overtake him, Qui-Gon would stroke his face and urge him to stay awake with whispered words of encouragement. The Jedi Master wasn't sure if Obi-Wan understood but it was all Qui-Gon could do. He tried to give the sickly man some water but Obi-Wan spat it back up in a bloody drool. That was bad and the Master was very worried.

Hovering below his fear for Obi-Wan was concern for Anakin.

Just when Master Jinn was forced to leave Obi-Wan in search of supplies again another vehicle pulled up. Several men scrambled out, blasters at the ready. They shoved his apprentice toward him roughly. Then the thugs took off. Leaving them all there.

Qui-Gon forgot about his foraging and embraced Anakin. The Padawan didn't say anything at first.

"I'm…the… 'Seed of Darkness'," Ani mumbled miserably, shivering in Qui-Gon's arms. This was his conclusion. He might not be a Sith, but, assuming what he'd been told was true, his father had been one!

"Shh," the Master soothed. "Come into the shelter." He could hear the kid out when they weren't freezing.

Once inside Anakin looked around. There wasn't much, he noticed, trying to still his trembling. A tiny heater, a rickety cot…

"Obi-Wan?" he asked tentatively, seeing the huddled shape. He'd spotted blood staining the snow outside. Whose was it?

Kenobi looked up blearily. He tried to speak but choked and coughed instead. Then curled into miserable ball.

"How long, Master?" Anakin asked with worry.

"Several days," Qui-Gon replied somberly.

Anakin hugged him tight then, not caring that Obi-Wan was there. "I am so sorry."

"No need to apologize, little one," Qui-Gon whispered wrapping the youngster into his arms. "Where have you been?"

"I don't know. Some cold room," Ani trailed off. Unsure if he wanted to continue. He'd never told his Master what had happened with his mother. Her death, his bloody revenge… "I saw Darth Sidious. He talked to me."

Master Qui-Gon pulled back to look into the boy's tortured eyes.

"Well, he wasn't actually there," Anakin explained. "It was a HoloNet transmission." The Padawan rubbed at his hair nervously. "He wanted me to turn, Qui. He told me things, said…he said my father was his Dark Lord. That my father was Lord of the Sith!"

"Do you believe that?"

"I don't know!" Anakin sobbed. "My mother told me I didn't have a father, but, that makes no sense!" The Padawan looked at his Master miserably. "This plot has been years in the making. I am to be their pawn."

"Are you?" Qui-Gon asked gently. He was tense, though. Was Anakin their executioner?

"No!" the young Jedi apprentice cried. "I will never betray you, Master! Never!" he flung himself into Qui-Gon's arms again. "I will never turn against the Jedi!"

Qui-Gon sighed in relief and pride.

"That's why they sent me out here," Anakin whispered. "If I will not turn, then I am to die with you," he raised his face bravely, but Qui-Gon could see his tears.

The big Jedi wiped his cheek gently. "Do not despair, Anakin," he managed to smile. "We have activated a distress beacon," he told the Padawan. "If it has been received help should arrive shortly."

"That's great, Master!" the apprentice kissed him in joy. Anakin shivered and nuzzled his frozen nose into Qui-Gon's neck. "It's so cold," he said contritely. Despite years away from his warm home planet, Ani was still a desert child.

"Sit near the heater," the Master said squeezing him tighter. He knew Obi-Wan needed the blankets more than Anakin.

"Can't I stay close to you?"

"That too," Qui-Gon smiled.

"I'd like that," Ani whispered. Perhaps the cold wasn't so bad if it meant cuddling the Master.

A pair of glazed eyes watched them. Obi-Wan felt his insides twist and clench. He could taste salty bile in his mouth again and pushed unsteadily to his feet. He barely managed to stumble past them to get outside. He collapsed in the snow spitting blood. His sweat soaked tunic made the frigid temperature that much worse. It didn't even comfort his fevered skin. He was shaking violently.

"What's wrong with him, Master?" Anakin asked in dread as they moved Obi-Wan back inside.

"He has been poisoned, Anakin," Qui-Gon said honestly. He wasn't going to mention it, but if Obi-Wan didn't get treatment soon, the toxin would take him.

"Will he be alright?" Ani whispered fearfully.

The Master's silence was terrifying.

To Be Continued...