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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: Next update Wednesday.

Chosen
Volume Five
The Seeds of Darkness
Chapter IV: Intimations

The Jedi headed back to the hangar. Orders had to be issued the Clone troopers and they should rest up before the assault. Master Qui-Gon later decided that it would be a good idea for the Jedi to confer one last time. To hash out any details…

He and Anakin went in search of their brethren. They were not prepared for what they found. Once again they managed to catch Obi-Wan in an intimate moment.

Naked bodies entwined…connected…glistening with sweat…

Garen let out a low moan. Qui-Gon and Anakin took that as the cue to leave. Definitely not something they needed to see!

"I think we should knock from now on," Anakin mumbled, blushing furiously as they left the erotic display behind.

Qui-Gon pursed his lips angrily. Against his better judgment he had turned a blind eye to Kenobi's indiscretions up till now. As the responsible Jedi Master it was his duty to inform Obi-Wan of the dangerous path he was treading. He must return and have a word with his former Padawan.

Qui-Gon instructed Anakin to stay in their room before returning to find Obi-Wan, thankfully, alone. He didn't knock, merely cleared his throat loudly to announce his presence. After a moment the young Knight appeared at the door.

"What do you want?" Kenobi asked coolly, running a hand through freshly washed hair.

"What are you thinking?" Was Obi-Wan thinking at all! "Seducing a princess is one thing, Obi-Wan. Lying with a fellow Jedi while on duty is another." The old man felt a sudden sense of hypocrisy sweep over him, but ignored it.

"Princess, Senator, merchant or slave," Obi-Wan rattled off. "Jedi even. I've had them all. What does it matter?"

"You are not helping your case, Obi-Wan," the Master said sternly. "By all rights I should inform the Council."

Kenobi's face froze. "Are you threatening me, Master Qui-Gon?"

"I prefer to think of it as a warning, Obi-Wan," the old man struggled to keep his expression neutral. Menace was suddenly in the air.

Anger flared behind Obi-Wan's blue eyes. "No, Qui-Gon, I think you are threatening me." He stalked closer to the big man, body language tense. "But you've forgotten something."

"What is that?"

"I know about you and Anakin," Obi-Wan hissed angrily.

The Master's expression faltered. "What?"

"I know what you do with your Padawan, Qui-Gon Jinn." Kenobi jabbed a rough finger into the old man's chest to accentuate each word. "Behind… closed… doors." His eyes narrowed dangerously. "If you say one word to the Council about me. I will talk," Obi-Wan snarled. "And that you can take as a threat!" he raged.

Qui-Gon fought back the urge to strike the smaller man. "You leave Anakin out of this, Obi-Wan," he growled down at Kenobi.

"Get out," Obi-Wan said calmly.

"Do not involve Anakin in our issue, Kenobi, or so help me," Qui-Gon restated coldly.

"I said, get the fuck out!"

"He has done nothing to you, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon shook his head angrily and turned on his heel to storm off.

"You are right for once, old man!" Obi-Wan barked, slamming the door quickly. Almost catching the fluttering hem of Qui-Gon's cloak. The enraged Knight stood there panting and twitching in his fury. Then he slammed his fist into the wall with a growl.

Anakin looked up when Qui-Gon returned to their room. The apprentice had been making some minor adjustments to his replacement arm, but he quickly put down his tools and shut the access panel. Judging by the look on his Master's face something was wrong. Usually nothing got to old Qui-Gon. But, this was an unusual situation. Something stung inside and Qui-Gon could not explain it. It was a deep aching pain under a layer of irritation.

"Are you alright, Master?" the Padawan asked, tugging the glove over his artificial limb.

Qui-Gon nodded silently and paced over to the nearest window.

"No you're not," the youngster rose to his feet and followed. "You are lying," he said wrapping the Master into his embrace. "What has happened?"

"Nothing," Qui-Gon sighed heavily.

"Qui," Anakin obviously did not believe him. Wisely, the apprentice did not press the issue. He just let his head come to rest against his Master's back, breathing in his scent. If Qui-Gon didn't want to talk, he would respect that.

"It's nothing," the old man insisted wearily.

"I see," Anakin murmured hugging Qui-Gon firmly. He gently kissed the elder's neck. "What did Obi-Wan say?" Though Qui-Gon had not specified where he was going the Padawan knew very well what it was about. Obi-Wan and Garen…

"He said enough." Obi-Wan had said more than enough. Qui-Gon did not know Obi-Wan anymore. This Obi-Wan was not his Padawan, his friend…This Obi-Wan hated him. It was all laid out in the open now.

As though reading his Master's thoughts, and he may have been, Anakin kissed the big fellow again. "I'm sorry," he murmured quietly.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Anakin," Qui-Gon replied. In this, he and Obi-Wan agreed at least.

"I am sorry he's angry with you," the youngster elaborated. "I know it hurts."

"That is between us, little one," Qui-Gon took Ani's chin in his big hand and made the boy look at him. "Do not concern yourself further," the Master managed a thin smile.

" I don't like it when you are hurt," the apprentice said sincerely. "One day the Force will bring you justice, Master."

This was a Jedi belief. And one that Anakin often turned to for comfort. The idea that all the hardship and suffering they went through in service to the Force would someday be accounted for. Jedi were encouraged to believe this. It was not vengeance, it was the will of the Force. Anakin certainly believed.

Qui-Gon, however, did not want to talk about it.

To Be Continued...