Disclaimer: They're not mine. They belong to George Lucas, with the exception of Anya. She's mine. Enjoy!
I'm Here
She could hear his soft voice calling to her in her mind as she drifted in and out of consciousness in the healer's room.
I'm here, love. I'm here…
Anya tried to open her eyes, but she felt as if they were weighed down by six-ton anvils. She tried to remember what had happened. Then it all came flooding back to her.
She and Anakin had been staying in the council chambers, waiting for word on whether Mace and the other Jedi masters had successfully arrested Chancellor Palpatine with little or no drama. She'd tried to convince him that they didn't need him to go after them, but he was stubborn and insisted he needed to go, to make sure Palpatine was taken alive. Anya conceded, but insisted she go with him so the two of them took his starfighter and went to the senatorial office building, heading straight to the chancellor's office.
When they got there, they found the other Jedi masters dead, and Mace standing over a disarmed and seemingly helpless chancellor. She remembered Anakin trying to talk the Jedi master into not killing the chancellor, insisting that he should stand trial, that if Senator Organa personally chose a fair judge, the proceedings would be fair.
Suddenly, the chancellor fired Force-lightning at the Jedi master, which he managed to block, but it was becoming difficult for him, Anya could see. She brandished her light saber and ran toward the Jedi master and Sith lord, hoping to help Mace fight him off, but Palpatine only turned his lightning on her. She flew across the room, landing in a heap against the wall.
She saw through fogged vision as Anakin killed Palpatine in self-defense when the Sith turned the lightning on him as well. Being the Chosen One, Anakin managed to block it efficiently, and then had no choice but to run the Sith lord through.
After that, she only snatches of conversation as she'd begun to pass out from the lightning. She foggily heard Mace tell Anakin to take her back to the Jedi temple where the healers could look after her, and to try to contact Master Kenobi. After that, she remembered nothing…
Anya was finally able to open her eyes and she was relieved to find Master Kenobi at her bedside. "They…were able to…contact…you…" she whispered.
He shook his head no. "Anakin didn't need to," he said gently. "I could feel your pain all the way on Utapau. That was a brave thing you did, Anya."
"I'm so sorry," she whimpered, tears starting to roll down her cheeks.
Obi-Wan immediately took her hand in his, stroking her fingers, trying to send calming waves to her through the Force. "Shhhh, I'm here, love. I'm here…" It was enough and she began to doze. He remained at her side, keeping an eye on her.
A couple of hours later, he was sitting in the chair near her bed when he sensed her discomfort. She was shivering. She must be going into mild shock, he thought. Thinking only of her well being, he shed his Jedi cloak and tunic, and then slipped into bed with her. He slipped his arms around her and hugged her close from behind. Gradually, her shivering eased and she turned around to face him.
He looked down at her. She was beautiful, with her reddish brown hair and brown eyes. He almost felt as if he could let himself drown in their depths. At this point, he didn't even notice the age difference between them and how much younger she was. He smiled softly, caressing her face.
"Obi-Wan…" she whispered, her eyes fluttering closed. She didn't need to keep them open to know that he was coming and when their lips finally touched, she gave herself up to the kiss she'd dreamed about since becoming a woman and learning of their soul bond. Gradually, the kiss deepened and Anya felt herself being held closer. His lips were soft and sweet and she relished the feeling of his beard gently tickling her face.
Obi-Wan was stunned at the love she freely gave him. Even though there were others closer to her age, it was him that her soul was merged to. Of course, Master Yoda had informed them of their soul bond. It had been discovered when Obi-Wan's master, Qui-Gon Jinn, had died after the duel with Darth Maul. Anya had been on Coruscant and could still hear Obi-Wan's screams, and then sobs, of grief.
Finally, they ended the kiss and she smiled up at him, tears in her eyes, tears of love. "I love you…" she whispered softly.
"And I love you." He lowered his lips to hers one last time, kissing her lips, and then her eyelids. A moment later, he sent soft soothing waves to her through the Force, knowing she needed to rest. "Sleep, love. I'm here, and I'll stay with you."
Anya smiled and fell asleep, still hearing that soothing mantra in her mind.
I'm here, love. I'm here…
THE END (Sequel coming later)