Author's Note: Yet again I would like to remind you – yes you – the lovely people who actually take time to read this tripe that I do not own any of these characters or setting etc. These are all owned by the genius that is George Lucas. Hope you like the new chapter, thank you to all have reviewed my work so far, I like constructive criticism, that's the only way this story will get better as we progress. So thanks Jlyn, Strider's Girl and CTHD1303, your comments are appreciated. Oh and another thing, any British readers, ITV1 are showing the original trilogy from next Saturday night (7th of June). Am counting the hours already, it's about time they put something decent on at the weekend…don't you agree?

Anyway, "The Show Must Go On" as Freddie Mercury would say…enjoy.

Chapter Four ~ An unexpected visitor

"Jedi Master Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan opened his eyes to see a droid standing before him. He had not slept well. Anakin's pleading, empty voice had been echoing around his head all night.

"Anakin, is he better? Can I see him?" inquired an earnest Obi-Wan, leaping off the icy metal seat he had been sprawled on. His back protested loudly, not a comfortable way to spend a night…

"Follow me sir" replied the droid thinking it best to just direct him to the patient. Obi-Wan followed unquestioningly behind.

Please let him be ok, I cannot bear the thought of another night worrying. Let him be awake and back to his teasing and playful self. He might be an arrogant, stubborn little kid sometimes, but I still care for him. Perhaps more than he tends to realise…

He turned the corner of the ward, and the sight that greeted him was not promising. Anakin lay asleep in a bunk in a separate room to everyone else. His cheeks were flushed a crimson red with fever, and when Obi-Wan touched his head he realised he was still burning up.

"The Jedi healers reported that the worst is over, the fever will go in time. Things are looking better than last night sir" stated a medi droid, seeing the undisguised worried look on Obi-Wan's face.

The Jedi nodded, acknowledging the droid's comments.

"Could you leave us alone for a few minutes?" he asked the droid, suddenly getting an idea.

"Yes, a few minutes, that is all. The patient needs constant supervision" replied the droid; uncertain as to what the Jedi was planning, but complying with his wishes all the same.

As soon as Obi-Wan was sure they were alone, he sat himself next to Anakin's bed, and once again placed his hand on his forehead.

Anakin, it's Obi-Wan. Lie still and I will try to help you.

He waited, almost prayed that he would get a response from his young apprentice. Several minutes passed and Anakin's eyes remained closed. Obi-Wan laid his head down in exhaustion. He had been channelling all of his Force energy into Anakin for over ten minutes and was getting no response at all. Anakin's face was devoid of all emotion; a layer of feverish sweat covered his body as the illness racked his already exhausted body. His chest barely rose, save for a faint, but insistent beat against his head. This was enough, for the moment. If only Anakin responded then he would know he was still strong enough to communicate using the Force.

 Thank you.

 Those words came as a great encouragement for Obi-Wan.

Anakin's eyes remained closed but he had gained even more healthy colour back to his cheeks and his fever was going down gradually. Obi-Wan smiled with exhausted relief. Just then a slender figure at the door caught his eye – Padme.

"Anakin" she cried, rushing into the room. Her eyes showed great concern and worry as she bent down and took her husband's hand in her own.

"How did you get into such a state eh?" she whispered in his ear. It was only then that she appeared to register that someone else was in the room.

"Oh…Obi-Wan, what a pleasant surprise", she stuttered, giving him a warm but nervous smile. Padme stood up, straightening her robes, and attempting to make herself look as statesmen like as she could muster. Strands of her hair were falling down in front of her face, and her dress was crumpled and tatty. She had only received the news through a transmission by her astromech droid R2-D2 about 6 hours ago. Rushing out from her monthly conference with the Queen she had barely paused to breathe since early this morning.

"So tell me what happened. How was Ani attacked like this? Have you caught them yet?" she enquired in her best diplomat's voice.

"We have not yet discovered the identity of his attacker, rest assure we will m'lady. He is much better than he was last night, take that as comfort" he replied, hoping to reassure the rather bedraggled young woman. He thought it best to allow them some time alone, he knew Anakin thought dearly of Padme.

Sometimes too dearly.

Padme waited until Obi-Wan disappeared from sight and then approached Anakin's bed. She kissed his hand tenderly and lay her head down next to his.

"I love you Ani". She stroked his hair away from his forehead and closed her eyes.

"You have to get better Ani, there's something I need to tell you", she muttered under her breath.

"Something important about us…"

After several minutes Padme drifted off into a much needed but restless sleep, her arm wrapped around Anakin's chest. Obi-Wan was beginning to wonder what was going on and so again entered the ward. To his delight Anakin was awake and appeared to be aware of his surroundings. He turned his head slowly as Obi-Wan entered the room. He blinked feverish eyes several times before realising it was Obi-Wan. Anakin managed a weak grin before his eyes slid shut again.

"Anakin, come on, stay awake" he urged his apprentice. He again placed his hand on his forehead in an attempt to revive him. This time Anakin appeared to respond much quicker. His eyes opened and he attempted to sit himself up. Aching muscles shook under the strain and he resolved to stay lying down instead.

"Master" he muttered, clearly grateful for his company.

"Don't ever do that to me again Anakin" remarked Obi-Wan, half jokingly and half-serious.

"What happened?" he mumbled, his eyes still half closed.

"We don't know as yet what attacked you, although we have determined that it wasn't physical whatever it was." Obi-Wan paused, not willing to reveal Yoda's thoughts to his padawan just yet.

"Anyway that has no significance right at this moment, you just concentrate on getting yourself out of here" he instructed, his eyes showing great concern for his young charge.

Anakin nodded his head slowly, his eyelids beginning to grow heavy again. He did feel rather tired. Padme still lay undisturbed by their conversation, brown curls of her hair brushing lightly against his skin. This would have been comforting if Anakin had not had a blazing row with her the last time they met.

Why is she here? How can she ever expect me to forgive her after the words that came out of her mouth?

 He didn't ponder this thought for long as within seconds his blue eyes were closed on the world, his breathing deepened and Anakin was out like a light.

Obi-Wan laid a warm hand on Anakin's shoulder as a sort of silent good-bye before promptly leaving the room for a meeting with the Jedi Council. It had been scheduled to happen several days ago, except he had been putting it off. It was to discuss his apprentice's progress, and whether he could continue the Jedi training. Ever since their unfortunate encounter with Count Dooku a couple of months ago the Council had had their wary eyes on Anakin's behaviour.

 Master Yoda in particular was concerned about his erratic manner in recent months. Of course Obi-Wan was the first to defend his padawan; it was understandable after the death of his mother. What the Council did not grasp was that Anakin had been taken from his mother after he had formed a close bond/emotional connection with her. No other padawan would even remember their family; they were taken away so swiftly to be trained. This was the key difference, and they simply could not understand if they had never been in his position.

Obi-Wan sighed heavily, and continued down the corridor to the landing platform. He couldn't help but get the feeling that his padawan was grossly misunderstood. Qui-Gon of course had always had faith that Anakin would prove the Jedi Council wrong, and indeed had been proved right so far. As a Jedi he had been just as reckless as Anakin, constantly getting himself into trouble, always defying the Council – even at the very end he had insisted upon training Anakin without the Council's permission. Obi-Wan smiled to himself, his persistence had certainly paid off.