Since I'm close to finishing this up, I'll be posting something everyday.

Enjoy!

Choices

Rating: T+
Summary: Obi-Wan has a major decision to make concerning his future either with or without the Jedi
Disclaimer: All cannon characters are owned by the Great Flanneled One, and now Disney. All others are mine. I make no money off this.
Note: This is a sequel to The Crucible

Timeline: 40BBY

Speech: " "
Training Bond communications: /
Internal thoughts: italics

Chapter Four

Obi-Wan lay awake, looking at the ceiling. It's not that he had nightmares from what happened earlier in the day, it's that he couldn't even sleep at all. He was tired, yet wound up all at the same time. Every time he closed his eyes all he could see were the bodies of the children in half-hazarded positions all over the room. The worst part was seeing several infants in cribs, eyes closed as if they were asleep.

Blood was everywhere.

Throughout it all the mental and physical cries from the survivors almost overwhelmed him.

Obi-Wan took a shuddering breath, and tried to relax once again. Opening up to the Force helped somewhat, but soon enough the images came back.

Reaching out with the Force again, this time he searched out Qui-Gon. The Master Jedi was sleeping peacefully. At least someone's getting rest.

Deciding that it was a lost cause, at least for now. Obi-Wan rose from his not-so-narrow bed and sank to his knees. While closing his eyes he placed his hands on his thighs while trying to meditate. It was so easy with Qui-Gon there, for he could piggy-back on his Master's connection with the Force and easily become one with its mysteries. Since Qui-Gon wasn't there, it was much more difficult. Even earlier, before he rose from his bed, he wasn't able to seriously meditate. Was he becoming lazy and handicapped in not doing this himself?

It's a lost cause, he frowned. Sighing, he pushed himself to his feet and then sat down on the edge of the bed. Reaching his hand out, he turned the light in the room up to a level that he could see, at least a little bit better than before.

As Obi-Wan cast his eyes around the room he saw something on a side chair. "What?" Rising to his feet he went over to see what it was. Folded neatly on the seat was his tunic and cloak, now clean. "Must have really been tired," he muttered as he unfolded the light colored material. If they were back in the Temple, he would be in his room either studying or out in the Room of a Thousand Fountains with his sketchbook. Unlike Coruscant, the Temple would shut down at night, except for the most essential operations. With no gardens, he took off his sleep clothes and pulled on his tunic and its many layers. Stretching out his hand again, he called for his lightsaber. After placing it on the bed, he slipped his boots on. Hooking the weapon to his belt, he moved to the door and opened it.

Before him was an empty hall, not that surprising. It was good that no one was there. Obi-Wan wanted it quiet so he could try to do a meditating walk. Sconces that lined the wall were the only things that gave any light.

With grace borne from several years of training, Obi-Wan moved silently down the corridor with no particular place in mind. He closed his eyes and tried to access the Force, letting its maelstrom guide his steps. Here, on the second level of the large house, all was dark. He tried not to focus on his fears, for succumbing to that was the first step to send him spiraling down into the path that led to the dark side. If there was anything he feared it was the coldness that the dark side represented. Because of that he fought as hard as he could to defeat any thoughts and emotions that led in that direction.

A few minutes more and he finally reached a meditative state that was similar to the one he was in earlier with Qui-Gon. Now being surrounded by the Force, and his eyes closed, he turned the corner he knew was there and ran right into something, or better yet, someone. His eyes flew open and he placed a hand on the unknown person's mouth while pushing him or her up against the wall. A whimper came through and Obi-Wan shook himself so he'd be more aware of what was around him. He quickly realized that it was either a woman or girl.

"Shush," his voice came out as a harsh whisper. "Do you want everyone to hear you?" it was dark and her skin was just as dark. It was as if she disappeared against the wall. Why would a servant be working in the middle of the night, and with no lighting?

She shook her head and he slowly removed his hand. Only then did he realize that if anyone saw them, their positions could easily be taken for something completely different.

As he pulled away to a more respectable distance, she spoke for the first time, "What are you doing out here in the middle of the night?"

Oh dear, it's Eira. While taking another step back, Obi-Wan cleared his throat. "I could ask the same for you." At this point he wanted to get as far away from her as possible.

"I, I couldn't sleep," she sounded weary. "I worry about everything that's been happening with the Berlanders, and that it could influence what's happening here. Rumors state that their Duke controls his citizens, or better yet, subjects, through fear. And then there's what's happening with my father," she shook her head. For a moment her face showed uncertainty. "It's worrysome." Eira sighed while rubbing her arms.

She is scared, Obi-Wan realized. Taking a chance, he moved a little closer. When he was close enough he reached out a hand and placed it on her shoulder. "I know your father is doing everything to make sure that there isn't any war between the two political systems."

"But when will it end?"

The explosion from earlier in the day came back in a rush. Clouds that previously covered Vasda's small moon broke, allowing the reflected light to cast faint shadows in the hall. Through the dim light, Obi-Wan was finally able to really see her. Her striking eyes were shimmering, as if there were tears in them, ready to fall.

For a moment Obi-Wan had no idea what to do, especially when he realized that tears were close to falling. Finally remembering what Master Numa did when he was still in the creche, especially after a really bad dream, he opened his arms and pulled Eira into a hug while sending her waves of comfort and safety. His time with Siri was one thing, this was completely different. This was unlike anything he had done before, and it felt awkward. She was smaller than he realized, and at the same time seemed fragile. "Don't worry, everything will be all right," he murmured.

As the minutes passed Eira began to settle into his arms. At the same time a comfortable, yet not so comfortable feeling began seeping into his bones. Looking down, he found he couldn't see her face since it was obscured by her thick black hair. When the uncomfortable feeling began growing, he released, and then pushed her away.

"Wha-" she looked at him, confusing reining supreme across her face. It was soon replaced by the look she gave him when they first met in the library.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that," Obi-Wan berated himself for his actions. His actions, and now the bubbling emotions below the surface was unbecoming of a Jedi, even one still in training. Turning, he went back down the corridor and in the general direction of his room that he left what felt like hours ago. As he paused he thought he heard, "dumb boy."

TBC….