Author: EsotericCrimson
Rating: T
Disclaimer: George Lucas' brainchild – not my own. Unfortunately…sigh
Summary: When Obi-Wan is wounded on a diplomatic assignment gone awry, Anakin is left to reflect upon his relationship with his former Master, and realizes that, when death could come for them at any moment, there are some things that cannot be left unsaid. Slash.
A/N: I feel obligated to explain the premise of this story before I begin; to avoid any misconceptions or confusion.
This fic has already been mostly written, and its majority is comprised of flashbacks that are spurred by the events of the story at hand. This served a duel purpose in my head – one; to flesh out the back story; and two; to merge the desire to write a sort of history of Anakin and Obi-Wan's relationship with my wish to delve into the world of slash fanfiction.
Which brings me to my next point; this is my first slash fic. The slash isn't obvious until the end, and it is in no way explicit – I wrote this as a sort of "warm up" to the idea. I'm not sure how well it did turn out, where it does show up in the story, at least; so I warn you on that account in advance.
From here, I suppose all I can say is that I really hope you enjoy the fic. And please review, as it makes my day and will most likely inspire me to update with all haste (as the immediately following chapters are already complete)
Thanks :D
- EsotericCrimson
Prologue: Paradise Lost
The cacophony of despairing cries were not what resonated in his mind as he recalled the incident.
He couldn't recall anything more than the basic facts with certainty - the rest was simply a flash of sequential images that seemed important out of context, but he couldn't be sure that they had any real bearing, because he hadn't been entirely concerned with them at the time, and he wasn't at all concerned with them now.
They had arrived planet-side only a week earlier, having been assigned to oversee negotiations on Cato Neimoidia for the InterGalactic Banking Clan. Apparently, chairman San Hill had aggravated no small number of his allies in offering his services to both the Republic and the Separatists. Both parties being rather militant in their demands for financial justice, the Jedi Council had requested, at the behest of the Senate, that one of their own number accompany a Knight to a conference, aimed at peaceably reconciling the two opposing interests, in order to mediate the event. Tensions between the two factions were far too great, and while the Jedi were loyal to the Republic, they were keepers of the peace above all things. The Clone Wars were still new, and already the bloodshed was weighing heavily on the masses. If ensuring that this particular disagreement be resolved as calmly as possible would prevent more of such unnecessarily violence, both the Order and the Supreme Chancellor himself agreed that it would be worthwhile to allow their enemies to live another day in exchange.
Obi-Wan's had been the first name suggested - his diplomatic prowess legendary even amongst the circle of incredibly talented Masters. Anakin's involvement had been solidified as soon as the recently christened General Kenobi voiced his assent - even since his Knighting, Anakin had yet to be sent on an dual assignment with anyone other than his former Master. They had departed later that day for the mountainous planet, prepared to act as the impartial middlemen they had been trained to be.
The discussions had, surprisingly, begun innocently enough, and were moving along rather placidly, given that little to no progress had been made. It had proven a small gathering - only a handful of advisors and senators representing the Republic, and a similar few standing for the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Then had come the accusations of treason.
Anakin hadn't been able to discern who had instigated the dangerous undercurrent of suspicion, but it had spread like the plague, lacing the conversation with a lethal distrust. The Corporate Alliance Magistrate, Passel Argente, had been targeted initially - having served in the Galactic Senate before serving on the Separatist Council left him wide open to great criticism and hostility. He quickly became defensive as a torrent of unprofessional threats and jibes were directed towards him, allowing for the savvy business fiend Shu Mai to vocally enter the debate. The Commerce Guild Presidente continued her claims that the Separatists sought only free trade and prosperous commerce, and that it was the Republic that was truly trying to stifle the ideal of free enterprise. The fiercely Loyalist Senator Ask Aak had retaliated immediately, rising to his feet and ranting about the Separatist rouges who sought to undermine the virtue of democracy. The Uyter Senator Lexi Dio followed, also voicing a strong dissension to the female Gossam's accusations. Terr Taneel also spoke in opposition to Shu Mai's claims, but her subsequent recognition of a need for reconciliation between not only the Separatists and the Republic, but also between the interests of the Republic and its members from within were drowned out by the screeching of Wat Tambor as he protested that the Techno Union would not stand for such slanderous words. The commotion continued to escalate until only one member of each party remained silent - the calculating turquoise eyes of Senator Tundra Dowmeia remained fixed entirely upon the rather uncomfortable form of the native Trade Federation lieutenant Rune Haako as he squirmed in his seat, observing the growing chaos with dismay. He was panicked, and he did not notice the Quarren's stoic gaze upon him as he reached downwards to extract something for the billowing fabric of his ensemble. Tundra rose suddenly, finally gaining the attention of the corrupt Neimoidian as he made to confront the being about his suspicious actions, yet dived unceremoniously to the floor as he was met with the most complex-looking firearm he had ever seen - one that had quickly changed targets and was now pointed most specifically at him.
The first few shots echoed hollowly, their ruby blazes illuminating the dimness of the chamber, striking light in the peripheral vision of the others, alerting them to the outbreak of armed brutality and encouraging them instantly to act accordingly. Anakin quickly noted that Obi-Wan had moved to deflect the consistent flow of blaster fire that was now not only coming from the paranoid Trade Federation representative, but also from other corners of the room, where secluded factions of enemies and associates gathered with a growing sense of hostility. And then the doors burst open.
It shouldn't have surprised anyone, really - but to the Jedi it should not have even seemed out of place, or at all unexpected. Yet it was; and as a good two-hundred battle droids stormed the hall, moving to take offensive positions while protecting the Separatist leaders, followed by enough droidekas to suppress an opposition thirty strong, both Jedi were unprepared. Obi-Wan recovered almost immediately from the shock, as was customary, fending off the now suffocatingly torrential fire that was raining down upon them, taking the risk to divide his concentration and reach for his comlink - to alert Commander Cody of this development, and deploy the Clone Battalion that had accompanied them for backup, Anakin assumed. But when the communication device was blown expertly out of the Jedi Master's hand, Anakin finally sprung into action. Retrieving his own comlink, Anakin contacted the Clone Commander and quickly requested his assistance. Assured of their expeditious arrival, he leaped over a passing battle droid, effectively decapitating it with his lightsaber as he spun above it, and landing near enough to cover Obi-Wan's back as the blaster fire intensified.
"We can't hold them off like this," Obi-Wan yelled to him over the chaotic din that was screeching about them. He was right - there was no way they could last long in their current placement with the increasing number of droids whirring around them. They had consolidated their position too inclusively, and in so had cut their odds in half. They needed to separate and tackle the enemy from opposite strongholds. Anakin moved to abandon his station, and yet Obi-Wan again reacted first. With an elegant vault over the wall of droids, he sprung towards another small group of destroyers, incapacitating their majority in one well-calculated swoop. Anakin diverted his eyes from the sight - his Master was one of the most gifted Jedi he knew; he could undoubtedly handle himself.
Sending the fire directed towards him easily back at his aggressors, Anakin was still relieved as the Clones finally broke the perimeter, entering in a wave of snowy armor, with their bleach-white blasters poised. Anakin quickly ran to meet the foremost clone trooper.
"Destroy the droids. As for the Separatists; do what you can to subdue them; do not kill them if it can be avoided."
"Understood, sir."
By this point, every servant, visiting dignitary, and a great deal of rather tenacious Neimoidians had managed to infiltrate the premises in the uproar, driven by their curiosity to follow the rather ominous sounds coming from the conference chamber. Clone Troopers quickly assimilated themselves into the fray, blasters at the ready and firing at will at the growing number of droids.
Anakin had then become most preoccupied on his own, having moved to quell the growing tumult to his right, where half the Senators in attendance had drawn their own weapons, randomly aiming their blasters in a combination of necessary defense and relief at finally being able to give in to the belligerence that had been festering within them since their arrival. Overwhelmed by numbers, however, they were hopeless against the droids now advancing upon them. Running towards them from behind, he cleared the Senators and landed to the rear of the droidekas, slashing his lightsaber through them before their shields could be activated properly.
He noted absently that the number of droid aggressors had been depleted significantly since the arrival of the Clones, and the thought of victory and the restoration of order briefly flickered through his mind.
The notion was short lived.
Had Shu Mai noted that there were civilians that would be wounded, it would have been most doubtful that she would have executed her plan. She was not aware of their presence, however, and instead acknowledged only the position of Senator Ask Aak - whom she had labeled her rival in the prior debates. Seeing an opportunity for revenge, and the sort of finality that she had a penchant for, she took aim at the corner near a towering, incredibly thick glass window overlooking the city. And all she could think of was ruining the presumptuous Gran under a pile of ruble and shards of glass as she set the small explosive to detonate on impact and heaved it towards its destination.
Obi-Wan had just finished disposing of one of the last droid clusters when he felt the disturbance within his perception of the Force, and turned sharply towards his left, taking in the figure of Ask Aak sprawled on the floor, nursing a blaster shot to his leg, and the menacing grin painted on Shu Mai's wrinkled features. He quickly ascertained what she planned to do, and broke into a dead run as the bomb left her hand. He had nearly reached his destination as the explosion took place, hurling both him and Aak against the opposite wall to the right. He heard an unsettling snap in his arm as he fell, and discovered quite quickly that he could barely move it. As he attempted to stand, it became obvious that his leg had also been injured in the blast, as it gave out on him, and he was forced to pull himself along about the floor. He could hear the cracking and eventual shattering of glass as he reached the incapacitated Senator, who was unconscious and rather bruised, but still alive. For how long, however, Obi-Wan could not be certain, given the increasing instability of the structure surrounding them. The wall they had been thrown at bordered the giant window, which was already mostly collapsed, and the immediately surrounding wall was now beginning to crumble as well in the aftermath of the blast. Suddenly, hearing the screams of numerous spectators gathered near the ensuing destruction, both Anakin and Obi-Wan turned their attention elsewhere: Obi-Wan towards the innocents, and Anakin towards Obi-Wan.
The children were only about ten yards from Obi Wan. They were terrified - of that he had no doubt. Blaster fire was still raining steadily about, and the ominous rumbling from the crackling walls soaring high above them was not misleading, and instead accurately forewarned the precarious hailstorm of debris that was beginning to fall atop its victims at random. Obi-Wan glanced momentarily above his own position, noting that the structure was somewhat more stable here than above the youths. He knew he could not reach them in his condition, leaving him only one choice.
Anakin knew that his former Master had felt the danger pooling about them - he had to have. However, Anakin was even more certain that Obi-Wan had disregarded it. The good General had never been one to sacrifice others for something that he viewed to be so trivial as his own safety. It was one thing that Anakin had never been able to accept in the man - it scared him, though he would never have admitted it. So when Obi-Wan employed a passing Clone who was attempting to evacuate the chamber to take Ask Aak to safety, he stubbornly declined the soldier's offerings to lead the Jedi away as well, and when he could be seen using the Force to hold up the part of wall that was about to cave in on top of that huddled group of children who had found their way inside, Anakin knew that Obi-Wan would ignore his own well-being until the children were safe. It was something that the younger Jedi would not allow – Obi-Wan had never recognized his own worth, had never cared at all for himself in contrast with his compassion and self-sacrificing nature in the case of others in need. Anakin would not allow this disregard to stand; he couldn't, not considering what Obi-Wan meant to him – what it would do to the young Knight to lose him…
Anakin sprung into action, beckoning the Force to support the crumbling wall above Obi-Wan as he ran towards him. He would reach him, and get him out of this mess. He would save him. There was no other option he was willing to consider.
And then everything went to Hell.
Neither Jedi had been very mindful of the still-continuous stream of blaster fire that was still being exchanged about them, and in truth neither would have minded greatly taking a hit if had come to it. Anakin felt the first shot impact his shoulder, and it brought pain, to be sure – he could feel the warm trickle of crimson saturate his garments at consistent intervals as he continued on – but it was not pressing. It was not fatal, and therefore time could continue at its unwieldy pace. Yet reality finally seemed to slow as Anakin witnessed each of what he counted, with excruciating accuracy, to be five blaster bolts ripping through Obi-Wan's flesh, wracking his already doubled-over form. The Jedi Master shook for a moment, obviously struggling to remain upright and focused on his task of maintaining what little stability the structure about himself and the youths retained. Meanwhile Anakin remained motionless, unable to uproot himself from his awkward position as he stared on at the unfolding events with increasing horror.
His inaction would be something that, in hindsight, he would regret more than he could ever express in words.
Obi-Wan fell forward, as if gravity had suddenly released its hold upon him, and he had entered a sort of miniature free-fall from the knees. Anakin felt the pain surge through his Master's body through their remaining bond, yet it was obscure – vague; covered in a thick blanket of reluctant resignation, and an overwhelming sense of failure. As the Jedi Master hit the ground, the presence Anakin had become so infinitely accustomed to slipped away from his mind, and the Force seemed strangely foreign to him with Obi-Wan Kenobi's wondrous light to be found within it. His heart began to pound frantically in his throat in a seeming protest to the scene before his eyes.
The increasingly consistent tinkling of jagged pieces of glass across the polished stone floors faded slowly until it could no longer be heard. The clouds of dust settled after countless, agonizing moments and the air cleared - now bereft of both the debris and the screams. Tears sprang to Anakin's eyes as his gaze fell upon the figure of his motionless Master, covered at intervals with oddly shaped, though massive chunks of rubble. He wanted – needed – to go to him; to take in the damage and tend to him. He needed to be near Obi-Wan – his Obi-Wan – now more than ever before. Yet the blackness, brought about by his own injury, that had been lingering furtively at very edges of his mind had become immediately more audacious, and as a single teardrop fell from his long lashes, trailing a path down his grimy cheek, unconsciousness overcame him and he knew nothing more.