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Full summary: Sequel to The Seeds of Darkness. In Chosen's finale: the Clone War is no longer about Republic and Separatists. For the Jedi it has become a battle of Light and Dark. Yet it is also the impromptu front for Anakin's soul, Qui-Gon's heart, and Obi-Wan's sanity. The end is nigh.

Warnings: Slash, JA reference, drugs, noncon, and violence

Pairing(s): Qui-GonxAnakin, GarenxObi-Wan, Obi-WanxQui-Gon

Fic type: AU, romance

Bizarre speaks: Uhm. Well. -ducks and runs.- Don't flame. The warnings have been there the enitre time.

Chosen
Volume Six
Into Ashes
Chapter VII: Siege Break

Despite the Dark Lord's assertion that Obi-Wan's issue with Master Jinn was not a Sith matter, Kenobi being distracted by the old man was, however. The Sith Master confronted his newest vassal about it.

"Have done with him, as you so wished," Sidious commanded.

"I," Obi-Wan faltered. What did he want, now that Qui-Gon was in his power?

The Sith Lord shook his head in disgust. "I have brought him to you, Kenobi, as promised. Now you must serve our purpose as you have promised." There was no missing the menace in the Master's tone.

"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan bowed his head and hurried off. He wasn't so sure he liked this arrangement now.

Qui-Gon was pacing the floor. He paused when the door opened. Obi-Wan stood there, the familiar cluster of security droids visible behind him. There was a strange, tortured look on the young man's face.

"Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon ventured cautiously.

"Do you want to live, Master Jinn?"

Qui-Gon was speechless. What kind of question was that!

"I will release you if you grant me one request," Obi-Wan palmed the door shut and approached the big man.

"Oh?" Qui-Gon took a step back, not liking the sound of this.

Obi-Wan gazed up at him, longing plain on his face. "I love you," the one time Jedi blurted out.

Qui-Gon took another step back in shock. Obi-Wan…loved him?

Obi-Wan shook his head angrily. He had not meant to say that! "Damn it, Qui-Gon," he fumed. "You are so infuriating!"

"Obi-Wan," the tall Jedi started gently. "I care for you deeply, but--"

"But what?" Kenobi demanded. "It's Anakin, isn't it? Your precious 'Chosen One'," Obi-Wan's voice rose in pitch. "Why, Qui-Gon," he yelled, "Why was I never good enough for you!"

"That is not so, Padawan," Master Jinn tried to reach for the distraught man, but Obi-Wan jerked away.

"All I've ever wanted was your approval, you fucking," Obi-Wan started ranting and raving. Recounting all the effort and sacrifice he'd given to Master Jinn. All those years of loyal devoted service. Always trying to please his Master, to be a good apprentice and win the Master's love. "When your wife died, who was there for you, Qui-Gon? Who!"

Qui-Gon had no reply. Much of what Obi-Wan said was sadly true. He was never one to show his feelings, never one to shower others with deep affection. Not his departed wife, not even…

"This is not about Anakin," he finally said softly. The Jedi Master was fearful now. Fearful that Obi-Wan would exact his revenge on young Skywalker. Qui-Gon looked at Obi-Wan in dread. Kenobi had done just that. He had maimed Anakin on Mustafar!

"Give me what I want, Qui-Gon," there was a desperate note to Kenobi's demand.

"What is it you want of me, Obi-Wan?"

"I want you to love me."

"Obi-Wan," Jinn came closer. "You can not force someone to."

"Yes, I can," Obi-Wan said seizing hold of Qui-Gon through the Force. The old man gasped in pain and fell to his knees. "And I will have you."

Qui-Gon stared up at the furious lust on Obi-Wan's face. The man was insane! Filled with an unholy determination that knew no bounds. Obi-Wan had truly fallen to the Dark Side.

"Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon managed to stammer out, the pressure holding him fast was incredible. The more he resisted the worse it got. He could barely breathe as Obi-Wan loomed over him, eyes alight with sparks of energy. "Please, don't do this."

"Relax, Master Jinn," Kenobi snarled, forcing Qui-Gon onto all fours. "And I won't have to hurt you."

x

Anakin awoke with a cry. "Master!" Something was terribly wrong, something horrible was happening…

Little Yoda shook his head sadly and grimaced. Oh, Obi-Wan…

x

Qui-Gon rose slowly, trying to still the trembling in his legs. Obi-Wan was passed out, sound asleep. The aged and battered Jedi looked down at his peaceful face.

I could kill him now, the big fellow realized. After what he'd done to Qui-Gon no one could find fault in that. It was my fault, Qui-Gon shook his head sadly. I drove him to this. With a wince of pain the old man stumbled to the 'fresher.

Obi-Wan woke with a start, hearing the rushing water. He glanced at the bathroom door in confusion. Then he pushed up to his elbows in amazement. Qui-Gon had not killed him! With a twinge of regret he rose and pulled on his robe. He paced the apartment angrily. Damn the infernal man! He whirled to face Qui-Gon when the elder emerged wrapped in a towel.

"Why didn't you kill me?" Kenobi demanded.

"There was no call for that," Qui-Gon said evenly, gathering his fallen garments. For a moment he considered retiring to the back room to dress. But, after last night, what did it matter? He let the covering fall, revealing the marks of Obi-Wan's savagery.

Kenobi sucked in a breath and turned his head. He began pacing again while the old man dressed.

"May I go now?" Qui-Gon asked simply.

Obi-Wan turned to face him. Anguish plain in his glare. "Yes."

Qui-Gon started for the door, then turned. "I," he paused, unsure what to say. "You will always be my Padawan, Obi-Wan," he whispered at last. "And I will always care about you."

For a moment Kenobi could only gape. Then he pushed back the loose sleeve of his robe and held out his arm for the old man to see. Qui-Gon came slowly closer to examine the colorful images. There was his face. Tucked away among all the other things that meant so much to Obi-Wan. The big fellow gently kissed Obi-Wan's forehead, then turned and left.

The servant of darkness crumpled and began to cry…

No one moved to stop the elderly Jedi as Qui-Gon made his way out to the landing pad. The Sith lackeys smirked and grinned knowing full well what had transpired. The Force told them all, carrying Qui-Gon's pain and Obi-Wan's fury to them like a sweet scent on a summer breeze. As the big Jedi approached his ship Grievous came clanking along to tease him.

"Did you enjoy your visit with your friend, Master Jedi?"

Qui-Gon turned to face the beast with a calm look. "I hope to see you in the field, Grievous," the Jedi was actually smiling.

"It would be my pleasure, old human."

Qui-Gon simply bowed and boarded the trim vessel without another word. Much to his surprise he found his lightsaber waiting for him when he clambered into the cockpit. He glanced out the curved canopy, but did not see Obi-Wan. With a sad sigh he fired up the thrusters and set coordinates for Coruscant. There was nothing more he could do here. He could only hope that Obi-Wan had gotten what he wanted. That in some way, this time, he'd been able to ease his troubled Padawan's beleaguered soul.

To Be Continued...