Chapter 6

"FFUUCKK!" I screeched, and it echoed through the room.

I started to cough, my nose brushing the marble stone. My stomach retched, and my throat burned. Blood trickled from my throat into the floor. It splattered everywhere on the floor. My ribs were stinging so painfully, I felt as if I couldn't move. I cryed out, tears of complete agony escaping my eyes. Fucking Bruck.

I clutched my stomach in pain, wincing as I tried to stand up. I fell back to the floor, and another cry was echoed against the walls. I used the stone seat to lift me up. I stood up, and saw the door that had closed behind them. I ran while trying to rush to the door that lead to the balcony.

I was praying to the Force I wasn't too late. My lightsaber was nowhere in sight, and I had absolutely no idea how I could stop this fight. I had to stop it before it was too late. If this continued, I knew someone would be killed.

The door hissed open and I saw the two of them.

The blazing blue on blue shed light into the dark night. They were both fighting ferociously to defeat the other. One was fighting with such an aggressive force, it scared me to think that he was once gentle. The other was defending himself with such passion but control.

One was after blood.

The other was trying to ward off the evil. To protect me.

Both of them I loved with all the love I could ever posses. But all I could do was watch as they were trying to slice one another.

Their blades moved and clashed together in a frenzy, picking up speed with each blow. Bruck swung for Obi-Wan's head, he ducked and rolled to the left, and swiped at Bruck's leg. Bruck screamed in anger more than pain. Bruck held the lightsaber over his head, and struck swiftly down to the floor where Obi-Wan had been. Obi-Wan had leapt to the side, and held a defence stance, watching Bruck, ready for anything.

Bruck just stared at him with rage burning in his ember eyes, pacing in front of Obi-Wan.

I knew he was looking to murder.

Bruck stopped pacing, and looked to Obi-Wan. A cruel finger played on his lips. He raised his blue blade over his head, preparing for something. Obi-Wan held his stance, tightening his grip on his hilt.

The crisp cold wind tugged on their tunics, whipping around them. It swirled through my soaked hair, and made me shiver. Either of the boys had even flexed a muscle, they were still staring directly into each others eyes.

Their stillness scared me. I knew that one of them would have to attack at some time. And I couldn't stop it. My eyes moved from Obi-Wan to Bruck, and back again.

Suddenly a shriek of purevehemence cut through the silence, and Bruck rushed for Obi-Wan.

I new I had to I take my chance. I ran at them screaming for Bruck to stop.

Obi-Wan lashed his head to over me, alarmed. He held out his hand to me, telling me to stop where I was.

"Siri! NO!" Obi-Wan shouted. His attention was on me when it should have been on his attacker. I distracted him, and Bruck took advantage of that.

Bruck slashed his blade violently at Obi-Wan, and Obi-Wan turned around in a last moment defence. Bruck's blade dragged lightly across his back, before Obi-Wan intercepted the strike with a backward block, with a yell of pain.

I tried to rush to Obi-Wan, but was stopped by the cracking of their lightsabers striking powerfully against each other. Bruck whirled around and tried to cut Obi-Wan across the stomach.Obi-Wan swung his blade over his head and blocked Bruck's blade before it hit him.

"Siri, get out of here!" Obi-Wan yelled over the strong hiss of the blades.

"NO! I want her to see you fall at my hands!" Bruck growled, staring strait into his eyes.

Obi-Wan held his blade in front of him, and looked back at me with pleading eyes.

"Siri, please…" his changeable eyes melted my heart once again.

Bruck took advantage of the moment. He veered Obi-Wan's saber away from his front with a mighty blow, and burned Obi-Wan's leg and arm in a flash of blue.

Obi-Wan fell to his knees, face twisting in pain.

I screamed as I watched him fall before Bruck.

Bruck kicked his lighsaber out of his hand, and struck him across the face with his fist. Obi-Wan fell side ways to the strike, his head bouncing off the marble floor. Bruck looked down at him, a darkly pleased smile curling onto his lips. He raised his menacing blue blade for the kill strike.

Before I could even think about my action, I was standing between the blade and Obi-Wan's form. I had to protect him that was my first instinct. No matter what happened to me while I was protecting him.

I braced myself for what was to come next. Obi-Wan screamed behind me as the blue blade decended down. Bruck's ember eyes locked onto mine, and I was surprised to see how much rage burnt in them.

He stopped mid-swing. He had finally looked past his anger and saw that it was me standing before him. His eyes smoldered his rage, but he could not hide what he had done now.

"Siri…Siri, get out of here…" I heard Obi-Wan's weak voice behind me, pleading.

"Its okay Obi-Wan. Everything will be alright I promise." I told him, still staring into Bruck's eyes, which burned more brilliantly when he heard the love in my voice.

"Siri-"

"SHUT UP KENOBI!" Bruck screamed fiouriously, his livid glare shifting to him.

Bruck raised his hand, andchanelled the Dark Forced to Obi-Wan. He flew back into the concreate wall, his back slamming against it. I whipped my head back at him and saw him clutching his neck. He was chocking, and fighting for air.

"STOP IT!" I screamed at Bruck.

He didn't stop, of even look at me. His ember eyes glared directly at Obi-Wan, watching with an evil smile as he tried to breathe.

"BRUCK!" I screeched. He was deaf to me, hearing only Obi-Wan fight for his life. Ideas rushed through my mind, I knew I needed to draw his attention away from him. I tried forcing his hand away from the direct pathway to Obi-Wan. He was too strong, the Force that was chanelling through his entire arm would give no slack. Quickly I reacted on instinct. I drew my hand forcefully down onto his cheek.

Bruck's face moved slightly to the left, acting on my slap. I left a red handmarkacoss his cheek. His heated glare shifted to me. Once I had his attention, I told him aggressively.

"Stop it."

He searched my face, and he lowered his hand slowly.

I looked back to see Obi-Wan fall to the floor, his head hitting the marble. I saw his eyes roll back into his eyelids. He was unconscious.

I stared to rush toward him, but Bruck's hand clamped around my arm.

"Let go of me!"

"You will not go to him." he growled through set teeth.

I started at him unbelivingly. I ripped my arm away from him, definantly. He started at me with a terrifying determination. Tears reached my eyes. I could not belive the person he had become. I wanted mybruck back. Not the Bruck that had been deformed by the Sith. This wasn't who he truly was. I wanted him back.

"What happened to you Bruck?" I said, my voice wavered, "You were my best friend and you let this Sith, control you. Obi-Wan-"

"Obi-Wan is trying to turn you against me." He said with a softened voice, but I could still hear the under laying rage in his tone.

I finally realized how the Sith got to him. He had used Obi-Wan as the center of his hate. I had hope. I could turn him around. I could bring back the boy I loved. I needed him.

"Bruck, listen to me. Obi-"

"NO! Don't you do that too! Don't take his side!" He screamed, thrusting a finger at his unconscious form.

"He took Qui-Gon, my victory, my success…" He glared into my eyes, and I saw they were filled with jealousy and hate, "He will not take you too."

I gasped at the tight snarl in his tone. His voice softened and he took a step forward.

"I won't let him take you away from me. I promise you."

The outside wind was hushed, and his disturbing thoughts finally grasped my mind. My heart sank as I became aware of his true feelings.He stepped closer to me, and rested a trembling hand beside my cheek, gripping my hair lightly.

"I won't let him." His voice murmured menacingly as he searched my alarmed face.

I gulped, and stepped slowly away from Bruck. His hand stayed as I backed away from him, leaving him holding air, staring at me with wide and betrayed eyes.

He was not himself. I didn't know who stood before me. The boy who I knew, who I loved was taken over by this jealous and angry shroud of lies the Sith had created for him.I was shaking my head sadly, suppressing tears from falling.

"Don't do this." My voice was shaking as I stared at the stranger before me, vainly hoping that I could resurrect the boy I loved from the evil that took him away from me.

"Look past the lies! Obi-Wan has done nothing! He hasn't taken anything."

I stepped toward him resting my hand on his heart.

"I'm still here, I'm still with you. Don't do this. There is another way, you don't have to kill him! Listen to me!" I said compassionately.

I took another step toward him, caressing his face with a shaky hand.

"Stop this…please stop! Come back to me…come back Bruck, please."

Green and Ember eyes collided together. I feared that I had lost him forever. I knew I had to tell him what he had wanted to hear for so long, it was the only chance to bring him back, to return him to the light. To save my guardian I truly loved from this twisted stranger.

"I love you."

His eyes softened more then, searching mine for proof of my affection. His hand ran softly through my hair, and the love for me shone in his dark eyes.

I did love him. I loved him so much. But it was a different kind of love, than the love I felt with Obi-Wan. But I knew that this was what I needed to do. To save the one I loved.

I leaned slowly upward, taking in my breath sharply as I felt his hot breath on my lips. My hands rose on his chest, and his hands trembling at my waist. I leaned just a bit further, and our lips met in a kiss.

I fixated my lips to his, trying to make it as convincing as possible.

Images of Obi-wan kissing me filled my head, and I tried to challel that through my lips. I thought of him, and our love, and how easily it had been taken from us. A single tear slid from the corner of my eye.

We parted our lips. I slid my nose against his, pulling away to see his face. I searched his expression for any anger. I tried my best to smile and look at him with the love I possed for him.

His eyes softened sadly as he looked down at me, his breathing grew regular again. His hand skimmed down my neck and rested on my collarbone, pulling on the chain that hung there. It was the necklace he had given me for my eighteenth birthday; it was a sparkling fragment of gold he had brought back from one of his missions.

My breathing was steadying itself, knowing that he wouldn't kill Obi-Wan. I had won him over, and now I would love him and we could go away together, away from the Jedi Order. I would love Bruck, and we could be happy together.

His eyes blinked to mine again. He stroked my blonde hair, apologant smile turning at his lips. I had ressuected him. He was Bruck once more. I smiled happily and reached up to kiss him again. He gently pulled back, away from my lips. I was confused at his action.

"You must leave." He said softly to me.

"Bruck?" I whispered, confused.

"Oh Siri," he whispered, caressing my face with his hand.

"I love you, I have always loved you." He said, in his familiar low velvet voice, "but now I see your heart belongs to another." His eyes flicked to Obi-Wan, who was still lying on the floor, unconscious and bleeding.

I averted my eyes from his, looking down at our boots. Bruck's arms folded around me and tugged himself tighter to me. He stroked my back, and hair, and my cheeks. My tears soaked his tunic. His fingers slipped under my chin, and gently pulled my face to meet his.

"Tell him that I am sorry for all that I've done to him…I never meant to harm him.I was just so caught up in my own anger. I understand that now."

"Bruck, please…" he put a gentle finger to my lips.

"I never meant to hurt you either, Siri. I hope you know that. And I will never forgive myself for what I've done these past few hours."

"I do, Bruck, I know that you didn't mean it. I forgive you-" The sad smile spread across his face again as he looked at me.

"Now you have to leave me here."

"No, Bruck you're coming with me. They'll understand! I'll tell them-" His hands seized my head, holding my gaze secure to his.

"Siri, I have to do this on my own."

He pressed his lips against my forehead, embracing me in his arms.

I through the Force sensed some one coming toward us. Whoever it was, I sensed the emotions of revenge and murder was eminent. Bruck felt it to. His muscles tensed around me, I had a feeling that Bruck knew who was approaching. Tears started to fall on his chest, as he held me tighter, kissing my hair.

"Bruck…no…no, please…" I whispered to him. My eyes locked to his painiced. He wiped the tears from my eyes with a steady thumb. I did not want to leave him with the murderer, with the Sith.

Moving quickly, he grabbed my hand and pulled me to Obi-Wan. He swiftly picked Obi-Wan up in his arms, draping him over his shoulders. Heswiftly carried him to the door leading inside the to the Room of a Thousand Fountains, where this horror had all began. Brucklay him down on the cold floor with care.

Before he could escape to the balcony where he would face the Sith, I ran to him.

"Bruck let me come with you. Together we can defeat him. You don't have to face him alone!" I pleaded him, tears streaming down my face, "Please, please don't do this alone…please-"

I reached out and snatched his hand, holding to it tightly, not wanting him to go. He weakly smiled at me, and shook his head sorrowfully.

Bruck looked back at me, his Ember eyes filled with love and hope, yet sad and knowing. He knew what was about to happen, and so did I. I would not let him end it without letting him know…

"I meant what I said." I told him desperately, "I do love you."

He squeezed my hand, he faked a reassuring smile, "I know. Everything will be all right Siri. I promise you." I nodded, knowing he was only trying to protect me from the truth. "Please, leave here, find other just in case..."

I knew what he was about to say. I didn't want him to say it. I didn't belive it could happen. I was in denial.

He smiled warmly at me. He released my hand from his, and walked through the door with his hand on his lightsaber.I watched him until the halves of the doors closed completely with a final hiss. Swallowing up my best friend.

I stood, trembling madly in the vacant room. I tried to clear my mind and my thoughts. I centered my emotions. A numb feeling spread through me, and I felt as if the Force had left me.My eyes slowly blinked to the boy sprawled on the floor beside me. I bent down as calmly as I could to the beautiful boy who I owed my life to.

His face had two cuts, which were crimson with hardened blood. I traced them carefully, measuring how much his wounds would hurt when he woke up. I noticed a trickle of blood streaming from under his body.

I gently turned him over, and found a gash extending from his middle-back to just under his arm. It was a light wound, not deep at all. I assumed Bruck must have just brushed across Obi-Wan's back with his blade. I knew I could control the bleeding of his wounds. It would keep me distracted from rushing outside to see what would be happening.

I outlined his face with a caring finger, copying his face in my mind. I ran my fingers through his ginger hair, a feeling of peace and tranquility passing over me as I looked down at his face. Finally, I rested my hand gently on his forehead, and the other over his wound.

I reached out with the Force, accessing the bond we had just re-opened tonight. I focused on his body. Slowly, I began to mend him. Using the Force, I stitched together his bleeding wounds. He had healed me once, and I would return the love he once had shown me, two years ago.

I had lost track of the time, and lost most of my energy from healing my guardian. It was as if our roles were switched, and now his life was placed in my hands, and I would not loose him. When his wounds were as healed as I could get them, I pulled out of his body though the Force and looked down at him. The bleeding had stopped. My heavy lids began to fall over my eyes, I was exhausted and began to lie beside Obi-Wan, letting the dark sleep overcome me.

Then I heard the hiss of the doors open.

Fearing that the Sith had defeated Bruck and come to finish us off too, my senses switched to full alert. My eyes shot open; I leaped to my feet, adrenaline rushing through my body. I called his blue lightsaber to my hand, igniting it and standing protectively over his form.

I saw a familiar face, and glowing green blade.

"Master Dyas?" I asked confused, "How-wh- what…"

"Hush Padawan, all is well. The Sith Lord has gone. You are safe."

"And Bruck?"

His face turned somber. He looked away from my eyes, and swallowed hard. The Jedi Master opened his mouth, and his eyes seemed to be searching for the right words to say.

He didn't have to say a word. I knew already.

The lightsaber dropped from my hand, and my breath was taken from me. I collapsed tumbling down to the floor. Master Dyas caught me before I could hit the ground. Tears were pouring from my eyes, I was too tired to wipe them away.

"Bruck…Bruck I love you." I whimpered to myself, "I love you."

Agony and pain seared through my body. I was torchured, my heart felt as if I was tearing in two. My very core was disturbed. My best friend had been killed to defend me from the Sith. He had overcome the hatred he felt, and conqored it with the love he had for me.

I wished that I could have returned that love, I wished that I had spend more time with him before he…

I knew that if I had been there, I could have stopped it all. I could have run away with him, I could have saved him from this evil fate. I could have…but I didn't. That's what hurt me. I loved him, but I let him go. I blamed myself for his death.

The last thing I could remember was Master Dyas crouching over the both of us, before I faded away completely.

/Obi-Wan/

My eyes fluttered open, lifting my heavy lids up and looked around. I was in a tank, thick liquid surrounded me, allowing my body to float and suck in the healing energy from the Bacta tank.

I slowly started to collect my thoughts and memories, replaying the entire battle with Chun. He had engaged me in fight when he was trying to get to Siri. I had guarded her from him, afraid of what he might do to my love. Then Chun had slashed me…I fell to the floor…and I saw Siri stand between Bruck and me.

Siri Tachi. My real love. The girl who saved my life. The girl who held my heart in hers.

An overwhelming emotion flooded my senses as I remembered Siri standing over me; the emotion was pure, and strong. I knew I had hurt her by choosing the life of a Jedi over a life with her, but I could not abandon my Master no matter how much I tried. The Force was telling me to stay. My love for Siri was strong, my loyalty to the Force and my Master was ulimately unbreakable.

White-suited healers on the outside of the tank where rushing toward the control module. They pressed the pad and I was ejected up out of the tank. I was pulled out, and handed new tunics.

I rushed out into the visitors area.

The first thing I saw was my Master, waiting for me with his face lined with concern.

I hesitated as I approached him, "How long have I been in the tank Master?"

"About five hours. The Bacta healed you completely, not counting the scars you have recived. You have been asleep for two days. We had to put you under a Force influenced sleep, to heal your mind and body on its own." His voice was tight, restained almost. I knew that I was in deep.

"Master I-" I tried to explain to him.

"Obi-Wan!" his voice was filled with relived strictness.

I bowed, recognizing his strict feelings through the bond.

"I am sorry Master."

"You let your emotions rule your thoughts. For that there is no excuse. You endangered the mission, and could have gotten yourself killed!"

Each word of his disapproval cut deeper and deeper into me. I grew more and more ashamed of myself. I should have controlled myself, but still, I did not regret saving her.

"Though, it did end well. You managed to save Siri, and Master Dyas saved the two of you. The Sith seems to have run away."

I shot my eyes up to his.

"The Sith?"

He seemed confused by my confusion, "Yes, the Sith."

"But-the only one…the only person I felt in that room was Chun…"

Qui-Gon's face grew sad and his lips compressed into a thin line.

"Bruck Chun was found dead on the balcony." Master's tone was serious and solem. My eyes widened and my jaw dropped, stunned, "You and Siri were found in the Room of a Thousand Fountains, unconscious."My eyes wandered away from his, staring into nothing, my fuddled mind could not sort out what my master was telling me.

It couldn't be. Bruck couldn't be dead…he couldn't. Siri would be heart-broken. What had happened when I had faded away on the balcony?

I remembered yelling at Siri to stop, not to come any nearer, when Bruck had scraped his blade across my back. Then, I remember Bruck burning my leg and arm with his saber. I remember falling to my knees, and Siri standing before me right when Bruck was prepareing for the kill strike. Siri had protected me, and he had rewarded her by his choking. I had been gasping for air, she was screaming. I hit the floor, and faded away…my last image my eyes caught before the wave of unconciouness took me was Chun gripping her wrist with fury.

I reached my hand to my battle scars, searching for proof of what had happened.

I couldn't belive it. Bruck was dead.

My thoughts cleared, and one single thought was still in my mind.

I had to find Siri. She needed me.

"She is in the next door healing ward." Master spoke, following my line of thought, "You must be patient, Padawan, you will see her soon."

"What happened to her?" I asked as respectfully as I could without sounding to demanding. Master folded his arms, and breathed deeply. A displeasing and concerned look shone in his eyes.

"She has three broken ribs, and her stomach is majorly injured, there is a biruse that affected her insides as well. She is bleeding from the inside of her stomach. She has been coughing up blood since the both of you were returned. She was also found completely exhausted, it seems as if she tried to heal your wounds. If she hadn't, your back would still be bleeding, and you would be in intensive care."

I stood, shocked by his words. She had healed me, at the cost of her own life? I was struck with a terrifying worry. Worry that she would have to suffer badly from her injuries…

"She will heal. Her stomach bleeding has already decreased a great amount."

"May I have permission to see her?" I asked, hopeful.

"No." my face fell, "Not yet." My face lit up with hope.

"When can I see her Master?" I asked.

He smiled lightly at my eagerness, but there was a hidden concern in his thoughts.

"Be patient my young apprentice. First, we must visit the Council. You will be de-briefed on all you remember last night, and they have asked me to join you after. They have something they wish to tells us."

"Master, what do they want from us?"

"I'm not sure. We will soon find out, but I sense it is important."

He flashed me a false grin and whirled around to the door. I followed closely behind him, my mind pondering everything that I had just learned, and was about to face.

We stood in the chambers, with all the Masters looking at me with serious expressions. I had finished my version of what had happened last night. Master Yoda had a thoughtful face, but gave no information away.

"Seems, it does, a Sith Master we must find."

"A Sith Lord Masters? The only person there was Bruck-"

"Alone, Padawan Chun could not have thought this. Corrupted, his mind was, by another. A Sith Lord, behind this he is. And escaped, it seems he has."

My eyes wided. A Sith Master? They were supposed to be long extinct.

"Thank you Obi-Wan." Master Windu said with a grim face. He motioned to the door, "Please ask Qui-Gon to join us."

I did as I was told, and Master and I returned to the center of the room. We faced Master Yoda, Master Windu, and Master Dyas.

"What is it the Council wishes to ask us?" My Master said respectfully.

The three of them exchanged looks. Master Dyas spoke for the three of them.

"The Trade Federation has been growing stronger, as we have learned…and much bolder. This situation has increased while our attention was focused on the Sith Master who had infiltrated our Temple."

"The Trade Federation has formed a blockade around the soverin planet of Naboo. Queen Amidala, leader of the Naboo has sent a diplomatic message to the Senate, asking for the senate's help. Right now, the senate is deliberating on how to act of the Federation's actions." Master Windu continued for Master Dyas, "Chancellor Valorum understands the seriousness of this situation. He has asked for us to send two of our Jedi to resolve this matter."

"We are to go and discuss the blockade with the Viceroy?" Qui-Gon asked him.

"Yes. You are to act as ambassitors for the Chancellor. You must force a settlement to end this meaningless Trade dispute. My mindful, this situation could get quickly out of hand."

Qui-Gon nodded, "I sense that there is more to this blockade than the Trade Federation is letting us know."

"Why the Jedi have been asked to handle this situation, it is. Very careful we must be."

"Very well, Masters, when do we leave for this mission?"

"You leave tomorrow. Today you must visit the Chancellor and discuss the terms of settlement he would like to present to the Trade Federation. You leave in two hours." Master Windu finished.

My heart sank. I thought I would have days to be able to see Siri before I would have to leave on any mission. Now I might not be able to see her until we succeeded in this new mission we were assigned to.

"We are sorry for the shortness of time we have given you to prepare, but this needs to be taken care of immideatly. Your apprentice healed completely and you two are a famous pair. We have faith that you two will deal with this problem swiftly."

"And so we will Masters." Qu-Gon said, bowing, "Now, if you will excuse us, I belive we must prepare for our trip to the Chancellor and our mission."

"The Force will be with you." Master Yoda dismissed us.

We exited the Chambers, and I knew my Master was honing in on my emotions. He knew I was disappointed because I would not be able to be there for Siri on these most difficult days for her. She would need a shoulder to cry on, someone to talk to for hours on end, someone to love her…she would need me.

I heard him take a deep and tortured breath beside me as we walked to the hangar. He apruptly turned down the wrong hallway, entering the main entrance hall.

"Master?" I asked, stopping in my tracks and pointing towards the way to the hangar bay. He looked back at me and gave me a light smile.

"We have two hours until we are meet the Chancellor. We have time to vistit the healing ward. We might as well check up to see if you wounds can really last during this mission."

A smile turned at my face. I knew he was trying to cheer me up. Even if he did not like me loving Siri, he had felt that once with another, and he knew that I would be so much happier if I could just see her for one moment. And then, Siri and I would be torn away from each other again, with no idea of knowing when I would return.

/Siri Tachi/

I was in misery.

Everything hurt, nothing was spared from the searing pain of loss that took hold of me. I was helpless. Though the healers gave me medications for the bleeding inside my very stomach, they did not have anything that could heal a broken heart.

Bruck was gone. Forever. I was never going to see him ever again. There was so much I still wanted to say to him, so much I still wanted him to know. I wished that we never had fought, maybe then we wouldn't have been influenced by the Sith.

It was my fault. I pushed him into the arms of the Sith, without even knowing it. I broke his heart, and he died to protect me and Obi-Wan against the evil. There was nothing that I could ever do to repay him.

The two days were the worst. The healers could not place me under a Bacta Treatment, because of my breathing problems caused my broken ribs and injured lungs. The best they could do was keep me on a medical bed, completely unable to move my torso without excruciating pain. Then they would give me lots of variations of medicine and put me under a medication-induced sleep.

During the long, cold nights in the ward, I dreamt of my last moments with Bruck. My dream was almost an exact repeat of that terrible night. When I would tell Bruck not to go through the door, the doors would open, revealing a dark figure. Then the dream would shift, and twist into a dark room, where there was no light but that of a blood-stained lighsaber, looming ever closer. I would feel a strange acceptance, and regret. Then the evil black warrior would shriek out a scream of torture and advance to me, looking to kill.

This reoccurring nightmare left me with an agonizing pain, and a fear of death. Tears would automatically stream down from my eyes. I could not control them. It was if they had taken over my entire state of mind. I would cry for hours at a time before I was lulled back to sleep by the exaustion that would sweep over me.

I needed Obi-Wan here with me. I wanted him to dry my tears, to soothe me, to love me. I craved for his comfurt and understanding. Obi-Wan had crossed my mind a lot during the time I spend in the ward. I wondered what injuries he had suffered, and if the were major. I worried about him almost always.

The third morining, I woke to healers checking my ribs and feeling tenderly around my internally bruised stomach. My eyes were dry from the nightmare last night. I was numb. I had long given up on trying to search my mind and decide to reveal who the dark figure was. I had a feeling it wasn't the same Sith that had corrupted Bruck. I breathed in and out, trying my best to put myself at ease and chase away at least some of the fear and hurt that dwelled inside my core.

"Padawan Tachi, you have a visitor." One of the healers called out.

I turned my head to see who it was, unable to move my body. I smiled in spite in myself, as I watched the bright face run over to me. Obi-Wan rushed through the doors and a grin played at his lips when he saw me laying on the bed. Just to be in that same room with him brought joy to my heart.

He sat down beside me on my bed, and his gorgeous blue-green eyes studied my face. I tried to sit up to draw myself closer to him. I felt a searing pain throb through my torso, and I gasped in hurt.

Obi-Wan's face switched to concerned, and he caught me in his arms before I could collapse back to the bed. I felt my skin warm and tingle where his hands touched me. I tried to wipe that out of me. We had agreed a year ago that we would not remind each other of what we had felt.

"Easy…easy." He said as he lowered me down, "You've gotta be more careful Siri."

I smiled, at him, "So, what brings you here Kenobi?" I teased him.

"Well, I thought I would see how you were holding up." He said caringly.

"I can take care of myself, if you remember." He chuckled softly.

"I guess you can."

There was a moment, a moment that I would never forget. His eyes grew soft, and the smile decended from his lips. He reached his hand out hesitantly to me. I watched his eyes, never looking away from the sea-green depths. I felt the love eminating from his eyes, from his body. He did still love me, as much as I loved him. When his fingers brushed my cheek, I closed my eyes and sighed at his touch. He slowly placed his entire palm on my cheek.

"Siri I'm leaving."

"What?" I breathed.

"My master and I are being sent to Naboo to reach a settlement with the Trade Federation. They have set up a blockade around Naboo and the Queen needs our help. We are acting as Ambassators for the Chancellor."

"When?"

He paused, and averted his eyes from mine, "Now we'll leave in an hour and a half."

A tightness gripped my chest. I haven't seen him for an entire year, I see him on terrible circumstances, and now he's leaving on another mission, which could lead him to another, and another…and before I know it it will be another year before I see him again.

"How long?" I asked, needing to know. His hand reached for mine, and held it in his.

He shook his ginger head sadly, "I'm not sure. Anything could happen." He murmured. Obi-Wan gradually met my eyes. We held it for a long moment.

A weak smile curved at the corners of his mouth, "You'll be here when I get back?"

I tried to smile weakly back, "Yeah."

The weak smile flashed into a croked grin, "You promise?"

"I promise." I said, squeezing his hand.

"Good. I'll hold you to it." He leaned over and brushed through my hair with his free hand.

"Obi-Wan." A familiar voice called to him by the door. Qui-Gon stood there, watching us carefully, "We must not keep the Chancellor waiting."

"Yes Master." He said, quickly turning to me.

"Goodbye Siri." His melting eyes shone.

"Goodbye Obi-Wan." I said with laughter in my tone, though sadness was in my heart.

He lifted my hand that was in his and kissed it, his eyes looking slyly to me as he did. His lips lingered, and Qui-Gon cleared his throat. Obi-Wan dropped my hand, and turned to his Master. Before he left the ward, he looked back at me and winked playfully.

I would miss him.