The next morning, Anakin awoke to the bright Coruscant light spilling onto his face. He hadn't slept in this late on this system in such a long time and it was quite a novelty. He rolled over and rubbed his eyes and got up to check on Obi-Wan. However, much to his dismay, Obi-Wan's bed was nothing but a bundle of blankets and pillows. Obi-Wan was unmistakably absent.
Alarmed, Anakin scrambled "Obi-Wan! Obi-Wan where are you?"
He stormed around the room, livid and worried.
He checked the bathroom and froze, his mouth dropping to the floor as he took in the sight of Obi-Wan lying on his back next to the sink with his head awkwardly propped up against the side of the bath tub.
"Oh good morning, my friend" beamed Obi-Wan as if oblivious that he was stranded on the bathroom floor.
"Master..." Anakin was so frustrated that he had trouble keeping his cool. He took a deep calming breath and closed his eyes and said through clenched teeth "What in the name of all that is Force sensitive are you doing lying on the bathroom floor when you should be in your bed recovering from your near death experience!"
"I didn't want to wake you up, Anakin! I seemed to have stumbled a bit and knew it was against my better judgment, and, as I discovered, out of the reach of my current abilities, to try to get up. So I contented myself with waiting here. It's been rather peaceful you know..."
"Obi-Wan! It was against your better judgment to get out of bed on your own in the first place! What were you thinking! Why didn't you just wake me up and ask me to help you?"
"Anakin, I know how much that Healing another can take it out of person. You need rest probably more than I do! Of course I would rather have you get a full night's rest for a change than have to worry about me!"
"You are so impossible!" Anakin complained as he carefully helped Obi-Wan off the floor.
Obi-Wan fought to suppress grunts of pain. He was extremely stiff and feeling the soreness of his recently healed body parts and the repercussions of spending half the night on the ceramic floor.
"Obi-Wan, as much as I enjoy seeing you drunk on your pain pills, what I love most about them is that they inhibit your ability to shield your agony for me. So please humor me and stop trying to shut me out. You're only wasting your energy. I can feel your mind writhing in pain right now."
"Always the clever one," grumbled Obi-Wan as Anakin helped him into the bath.
"Just sit in here and relax. I'm going to contact Master Che and inform her that you actually survived the night. But I'm warning you, Master, any more funny business and I'll take you right back there. Those sedatives you were prescribed are powerful, you probably don't even remember seeing Aayla last night."
"Aayla? What? Um, oh yes, I think I .. I don't remember at all" he admitted reluctantly.
"Well I suggest you give her a call, she helped me carry you here after you nearly passed out from trying to act cool in the hallway. Now what do you want for breakfast?"
"Wow how embarrassing. Whatever you feel like making Anakin, I'll just be a few minutes in here. Although, I admit that it's going to be a bit of a nuisance washing under these detestable plaster menaces."
"Shut up Obi-Wan, if it weren't for them you'd be back like you were on Geonosis or worse. Do you want a sedative or what?"
"I think I'm okay for now Anakin I " Obi-Wan paused, remembering what Anakin had said about his shielding and noting the reproachful look on Anakin's face " yes please" he submitted.
"Alright, here." Anakin handed him a small green crystal. "Meditate on this and relax for a bit. Call if you need me. And think of how you're going to make it up to Aayla for making her comfort the Younglings when they mistook you for a zombie."
Obi-Wan frowned. "So I shall."
After the next two days, Obi-Wan was well enough to take trips outside and around the Temple. He still needed help though. Noting that Anakin needed his life back, he enlisted the help of long-time friend Mace Windu and stayed in his room with him.
On the third day Obi-Wan, leaning on Mace's shoulder, took the lift tube up to the top of the highest spire so that he could finally convene with the Council again. He was very eager to get back to work.
"Obi-Wan, you can come to Council meetings again, but we're not sending you anywhere for a while."
"Thanks for reminding me, Mace. I didn't know if there were any foreign dignitaries who would mind their guests being held upright by other Jedi Masters. And it wouldn't be disappointing or anything if the Jedi summoned to a system for a rescue needed his own rescue from gravity."
Mace swallowed a grin.
"Don't get fresh with me, Master Kenobi" he replied coolly, but amused nonetheless. "Just remember that you are taunting the very person that is rescuing you at this very moment."
Obi-Wan laughed in defeat. "Don't forgot, Master Windu, who did the rescuing when a certain Jedi lost a certain purple lightsaber of his and was chained to a pole on Saleucami."
Touche.
The lift continued its ascent. They finally made it to the Council chamber and Mace lowered Obi-Wan into his usual chair between himself and Ki-Adi. The lone hologram of Ki-Adi-Mundi looked at Obi-Wan and gave him a distinguished nod.
There were a few minutes to spare before the rest of the Council would arrive. Obi-Wan had asked Mace if they could arrive a few minutes early so that the rest of the Council would not bear witness to Obi-Wan's continued need for assistance and his weakened state. Mace obliged and would wait patiently for the other Council members to depart at the end of the session as well.
Master Mundi, however, having a strong desire to see Obi-Wan in particular, suspected he would show up very early, so he did too in order to get a few moments with him before they went into session. Few Jedi were as sharp and perceptive as Master Mundi, and he knew Obi-Wan very well.
As soon as he got relatively comfortable, Obi-Wan took great care to not draw any attention to himself. Mace helped him cross his casted leg over his healthy one so there would be nothing too different about his usual sitting position. Obi-Wan then drew his cloak around his entire body to hide both white casts and raised his fractured mental shields.
Ki-Adi waited patiently for Obi-Wan to situate himself and politely turned away as his the healing Jedi Master shifted around painfully in his seat. Then he spoke up. "Master Kenobi, it seems I underestimated your loathing of Geonosis. I did not realize the lengths you would go to get reassigned."
"Yes" sarcastically agreed Obi-Wan, "mostly I just despise how the color orange clashes with my beard. What better way to get reassigned to the Temple than to acquire some convalescent leave?"
"Indeed. Indeed." continued Master Mundi. Then he changed the tone. "But, I am happy to see you, old friend. You had a few of us very worried."
"You know, I haven't much discussed this with anyone, but Anakin found me and guided me back to the realm living."
Mace and Ki-Adi exchanged glances.
"I literally was on the edge of the Force, ready to join it, and Anakin called me back, telling me that he knew it wasn't my time. The next thing I know, I woke up on a Republic Cruiser with him happily looming over me."
"Yes" acknowledged Mace, "It seems that Young Skywalker is even more powerful than has been prophesized."
"Agreed" chimed in Ki-Adi. "His potential is unmatched, even on this Council. I think it would be wise to be wary of such raw power."
"Yes, we need to keep a close watch on him" instructed Mace looking from Ki-Adi to Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan said nothing. He dropped his gaze to the floor, looking pensive. He was about to add something before the lights dimmed and the other Council members filed in and took their respective seats. A few holos flickered to life in the empty chairs.
Yoda had several pressing matters to discuss. Sensing concern and urgency, the Jedi Master's fell silent and opened their minds and hearts to Yoda's words and the needs of the Republic.
I hope you enjoyed! I'd love to hear what you have to say!
May the Force be with you,
Viva Islenska
Fyrir ig, vildi a g mikla hamingju!
))) ))) )))