AUTHOR'S NOTE: We're barreling toward the conclusion now! But I wanted this story to fit into the context of the TV series so the conclusion will do just that, and also to show the extremes that both Anakin and Obi-wan will go through to make sure they are there for one another. Just a bit of character development and plot (oh and some comfort. Hurt means nothing without comfort…that's why it's called hurt/comfort!)
Thanks again to everyone who is still reading and reviewing. I love reviews! I have noticed a lot of folks adding me to their favorite lists and I want to thank you as well. Not as good as a review but it does still make me very happy that folks are interested in keeping tabs on my work.
Pronker: Thank you for the compliment on my action scenes. I love writing them and I consider it one of my fortes along with character development. Glad my first attempt at writing Jedi battles worked! It was a bit daunting, all that lightsaber action. whoosh whoosh whoosh
ObiBettina: Ventress always has a new ploy. That's why she's a villain. I'm sure I'll be writing her again; she's too much fun not to play with. Be afraid, Obi-wan! Be very afraid!
Phantom Jedi: Really? Sherlock Holmes? Cool. I've never read Doyle's Holmes, only his Professor Challenger stories, hence my fascination with Lost World fanfic. G
Torli: Woot! Tears! Even almost works for me. lol As for the final chapters I've given some clues in my author's note. I like the slow joy of comfort and some character wrap up. It's my personal candy. Yum! And no relapses for Obi, just some repair work. G
Miss Fenway: Glad you caught up! And yes, I'm a fan of cliffhangers. Consider yourself warned. But the worst is over.
STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS
Episode 1A
Death's Shade
Chapter Ten
Reconnection
Awareness returned slowly, just snatches of sound and light at first, quick glimpses of a time still separate from him, but one that would eventually call more persistently for him to join. But for now his attention still remained inwards where the song of the Force hummed again for the first time in days. It was no longer a struggle to hold on to it. It was content to stay with him once more. The pit of blackness inside him had been lifted. The living power slowly seeped back into his body, infusing his every aspect. His connection to the universe, to those standing near him, convinced him he was no longer alone. Nor would he be anytime soon. And again he found peace.
He was content to just sit and listen to the power thrum within him and the random conversations that echoed distantly. Exhaustion still lingered even though physically he felt fine. Wasting the energy required to open his eyes just seemed silly however. Instead, he reflected. Memories of the past few days drifted past occasionally, bringing aches and sharp stabs of despair. He remembered everything. The sacrifices made, the battles lost, the men who died to save him. Captain Lock. He mourned them. But such grief was effortlessly redirected and released now that he had the Force at his side again.
Then a feather light touch brushed against his consciousness, probing, questioning, laced with anxiety and a touch of impatience. Obi-wan recognized it instantly and suddenly he wished to wake.
Obi-wan's eyes opened but the bright light in the room made him blink repeatedly. The world struggled to come into focus. "Anakin," he whispered, his voice thin and unrecognizable.
"Here, Master," came the immediately reply. A hand touched his shoulder and he turned toward it, but it was hard to make out the blurry form. "Welcome back. Took you long enough."
"How long?" His throat was like rough sand.
"A week. An incredibly long week." His one time student sounded as weary as he.
"Time slipped away from me. I apologize for keeping you in suspense."
Anakin chuckled. "You needed the rest." He leaned his lanky frame over the bed, easing into his Master's field of vision. His intense blue eyes studying Obi-wan's paler version, relieved to see the man's normal eye color instead of the disturbing white shroud of blindness. "But how are you feeling? Honestly?" He searched for the truth that the older man preferred at times to keep hidden from those he felt the need to protect.
Obi-wan was silent for a moment, searching his condition with a mind now more aware to take proper stock. "Whole," he told his friend. "I feel whole."
Anakin's smile grew broader. The hand on his shoulder squeezed gently.
A cough clutched at his throat, and Obi-wan's breath escaped him. Anakin quickly brought a glass of water and eased him up so that he could drink some. After a few swallows he nodded and Anakin eased him back down.
He lay there just taking shallow breaths for a few minutes, closing his eyes. Sith, I feel like an old man who smoked too many smoldersticks. After a few moments and with much effort, he opened them again and the blurry image of Anakin was still bending over him, his face pinched with worry.
"Should I get a healer?"
Obi-wan shook his head, reaching out and touching his young General gently on the arm, his real arm; he wanted Anakin to know he was all right. "The space station?" he asked, hoping to distract his concerned friend.
Anakin shrugged. "Most of the datafiles were wiped. Thanks to Ventress." the name was spat out like a curse. "We sent what we did recover back to command before blowing it to kingdom come; hopefully they will be able to decipher something out of it all."
"But?"
The young Jedi warrior glanced away quickly, annoyed that his annoyance was that plain. Even still recovering, Obi-wan could read him like an open book. He'd have to work harder to remedy that, but for now he just sighed. "Ventress was thorough. She was obviously there to destroy any trails. Whatever we find will not have the stamp of their plans or who was behind the experiments."
"I fear that we may …find out soon enough one day. I doubt that the experiments will cease …merely because we destroyed one laboratory. Biological warfare may yet … be in our future one way or another."
"Not a comforting thought."
A door opened and Master Yoda and Master Offee entered. Anakin slid off the bed's edge to stand aside for the healer.
"Much improved do you look, Obi-wan."
"I feel much improved, Master Yoda. I owe that to Master Offee and Anakin, I believe."
"Indeed you do, Master Kenobi," Barriss replied, casting a critical eye on him. Immediately her hand touched his chest and her eyes closed as she scanned him. Obi-wan's eyes closed with hers. He could actually sense her now as she checked his vitals. Her presence pressed against his, testing its strength. It wasn't a hard push and though it was still a struggle to hold his barriers in place, Obi-wan took great satisfaction that he could even attempt it, weak and shoddy as they were. Just being able to sense the Force and form it remotely to his will brought him great peace.
"Your barriers are in terrible shape," she chided, stepping back.
Obi-wan grinned foolishly, a bubble of laughter in his throat. "Yes, yes they are. My humblest apologies." Nothing was going to dampen his spirits at the moment. Not even the annoying cough that lingered.
Barriss opened her eyes and smiled down at him. It was easy for her to sense his delight and sheer joy at being able to wield the Force again. It had been a harrowing escape and a tormenting ordeal for any Jedi. Watching Obi-wan relish the simple joys of being Force sensitive again made most everyone in the room breath a bit easier.
"I'll work on them," he promised her.
"Oh that you will. Master Yoda has already prescribed a rigorous Force therapy regime for you."
That didn't sound good. But Obi-wan's smile refused to fall.
"And the rest of the damage?" inquired Master Yoda, climbing up on the added steps Anakin provided next to the bed to bring him eye level with the patient. His golden eyes narrowed as Obi-wan's deep cough continued.
"The five days in the bacta tank repaired most of the organ damage. His eyes are almost healed."
"They're still a tad blurry," Obi-wan mentioned, catching his breath. The light in the room still was far too bright for him making his eyes water. Or maybe they were just tears of joy. And who could blame him?
"They will be for another day or two," she assured him. "Your lungs are still healing as well. They took the brunt of the damage and will take a bit longer to heal. I recommend nothing too strenuous at first till all is repaired. It may be necessary to place him back in the bacta tank. I've ordered a special solution."
Obi-wan scowled deeply, almost a grimace. He hated the bacta tank. It was bad enough when you were unconscious with the crazy dreams it shaped, but it was always worse when you were conscious and you had no feeling of control.
Yoda nodded. "The upcoming battles young Skywalker can command till Obi-wan's health returns. To the Resolute you will transfer."
Anakin stiffened beside Obi-wan. He hadn't expected that.
Obi-wan swelled with pride meeting Anakin's stunned gaze. "He is more than ready, Master Yoda."
Gathering his wits about him, Anakin bowed low to Master Yoda. "I will make you proud."
"See that you do," eyeing the lanky Knight up and down with a scrutinizing stare. He nodded his satisfaction at Anakin's humble stance. Then he turned his attention back to the very elated Obi-wan.
The wizened Jedi reached a hand toward Obi-wan's forehead, paused, and only continued when Obi-wan gave a nod of permission. The Jedi Master's small, clawed hand brushed lightly against his forehead, almost as if he were merely pushing the hair out of a child's eyes. Obi-wan immediately felt a warmth flood him. His body relaxed, not even aware that he had been tense. He kept his shields lowered and allowed Yoda access. The elder Jedi was more interested in Obi-wan's mental state after the ordeal than the physical trauma, which Master Offee had well in hand.
Obi-wan's psyche had undergone a torturous trial that few Jedi had ever experienced. Such a raping of the Force could easily have long and unseen complications if the Jedi's spirit allowed it. Yoda needed assurance that Obi-wan was strong enough to withstand such a psychological battle. He attempted to assuage his old friend, permitting him to borrow deep in to his psyche. There was nothing to hide. Obi-wan was not scarred. He had weathered the Force's absence well, attributing it to the faith he had in Anakin.
But then for a split second, Obi-wan caught a glimpse of fear in Yoda's presence. That startled him more than anything. He realized what it was that the old master was looking for. The presence of Sith. A shiver of alarm sparked in Obi-wan and then immediately it was quelled as Yoda's barriers slammed back in place and took charge once again of Obi-wan's psyche, easing the thread of dread that he had allowed to creep in and casting it aside.
There was no Sith presence, not even a touch. Whatever the device inside Obi-wan had been, it had not been made by Darkness, merely the dark insane workings of the human mind. The relief Yoda felt over that fact he allowed Obi-wan to sense also in order to reassure him that all was well. He would heal completely. Obi-wan relaxed and slipped into a light sleep, nudged there as the last act before Yoda removed his hand. He vaguely heard the voices that continued.
"In your care, Master Offee, I will leave him" Yoda said quietly. "If complications arise, contact me you must."
"I foresee none, Master Yoda. He will make a full recovery, and far faster than either of you would desire. He is most determined."
"That sounds like Obi-wan," remarked Anakin.
"Like Master like Padawan," grumbled Yoda.
* * *
Anakin followed Master Yoda a few steps toward the door and then stopped, glancing back at his former Master. Despite the monumental new assignment, Anakin was hesitant to leave.
Master Yoda paused sensing the wavering conflict within the young Jedi. He scrutinized him with a severe stare. "Much to discuss we have, Knight Skywalker."
Anakin bowed low. "I understand, Master Yoda. I will join you shortly in the War Room."
Master Yoda scowled. The man had not asked permission. He merely made his decision and not one to the old Jedi's liking. With a low grumble the Jedi Master left the medcenter.
Barriss Offee had departed also leaving the room quiet and empty. Standing over Obi-wan, Anakin let out a long relieved sigh, just watching the steady rise and fall of the man's chest; it shuddered just slightly with every other breath. It still pained Anakin to see it.
The fear of losing Obi-wan had been relentless the past few days, overwhelming to the point of being un-Jedi-like. He had never understood the aversion the Order had to attachments. How could one just stop loving or caring what happened to a parent? And Obi-wan was so very much like a parent, the last remnant of his family. He had always been taught to respect and love his mother and place no one above her. And yet the Order decreed that he do that very thing. Because of them he had failed her in that regard and it still brought him shame and anger. Never again would he be placed in that position.
His hand fell over Obi-wan's. "I will never lose you. Not like my mother. I swear it."
The Jedi were wrong about this. He knew that, deep in his soul. Yes, the war had shown him perspective on losses but there was always a way to protect the ones you loved. Even if he himself were not able to be there, the Jedi Order was vast and should be able to help defend and protect those that mattered to them. They were always ready and willing to come to the aide of a fellow Jedi, so should they too for family.
Maybe one day he'd change the Jedi principles. He was The Chosen One after all. Perhaps it was his destiny to bring about a new Order and lead the Jedi to a new enlightenment, one that included love and attachments. Such a whimsical thought brought a smile to his lips. A tad romantic, not really benefiting someone with the title of the "Hero With No Fear," but Padme would find the thought hilarious.
He nudged briefly against Obi-wan's slumbering mind, sensing the deep healing and tranquil state of his Master. For a brief moment it settled him as it always did, but it didn't take long for his rapidly shifting moods to cast a stone, causing ripples to stir the still waters of the Force. Obi-wan roused sensing the anxiety and uncertainty that had intruded.
Anakin struggled to quell his emotions. He didn't not want Obi-wan to wake because of him. He had just wanted reassurance before heading off to command the fleet. It had been foolish to do, an immature move, similar to when he used to as a small child climb into Obi-wan's arms when he was frightened or upset. But he was no longer a child; if anything the roles were reversed now. He would take care of his Master now.
Sleep, Father. All is well. There was a long pause and then like a rushed embarrassed afterthought he sent, I love you.
Hurrying, Anakin left the medcenter, heading for the War Room where Master Yoda waited for him.
Obi-wan drifted lightly towards wakefulness, but was unable to push his way through the veil of Master Yoda's forceful suggestion. He felt a need to rise, something needed his attention, but he didn't have the strength yet. His body still ached too much to compel himself beyond just simply resting. Then suddenly there came a rush of deep comfort and reassurance telling him everything was fine. Drifting on those waves, he retreated back to his healing state, devoting all his concentration on repairing the damage done to his body.
* * *
Barriss Offee hated to wake the sleeping Jedi, but the way his breath still struggled even in sleep concerned her. Two days had passed and it still had not improved. The quicker he was returned to the bacta tank the better. Unfortunately, the bacta was not the traditional kind.
A simple touch brought Obi-wan back to awareness; it was not the drugged weary stupor of before but more as if he had just closed his eyes a moment ago. The healing trance Master Yoda had helped the Knight achieve was far more productive.
"Master Offee," he acknowledged softly. Immediately his chest tightened and the more he struggled to halt the cough that gathered the more difficult it was to hold it at bay.
"You need not suffer any longer, Master Kenobi. I have prepared a bacta solution for your lungs."
He frowned at that news, sitting up slowly. His muscles were stiff and sore but there was no trembling or weakness in them. He took satisfaction in that fact at least.
"That's not the enthusiastic response I had hoped for," she said, noticing his grim expression.
"My apologies, but I'm not enamored with bacta tanks. However, I understand the necessity. I submit to your treatment plan."
"It will heal your lungs fully."
"Then I shall not keep you or the bacta waiting. I am eager to be rid of this cough. There is much work to be done and Anakin could use the help." He went to change into the gear necessary for submersion in the tank.
During his absence, Barriss noted a datapad lying on the bed under the covers. The General had been going over the reports of General Skywalker currently on his way to the Outer Rim. She had expressly forbidden such things during convalescing. Sighing, she wondered who had smuggled it in for him. Most likely one of the clones. They were uncharacteristically loyal to him.
Even through the changing room door, she was pleased that all she sensed from General Kenobi was a deep tranquility that assured her more than anything that he was well on the road to recovery. In fact, she herself felt more anxiety at the moment knowing what she was about to ask of the man. Still it was for the best.
He exited the dressing room and together they walked to the next room. Obi-wan attempted to keep his breathing shallow but just the exertion of walking made it difficult. The coughing that started frustrated him; just breathing in and out burned. The large tank stood in the middle of the room, the azure liquid casting blue shadows across the various medical droids hovering around the monitoring equipment.
Obi-wan discarded his robe, leaving him in bathing shorts. His body was leanly muscled. For the many battles a Jedi endured, there were few scars marring his flesh. There were enough that made Barriss frown however. Good healers could make sure no disfigurement ever scarred a Jedi, though she knew that sometimes due to lack of healers and lack of proximity to medical facilities, it was not always possible. And sometimes some wounds were so great that no amount of healing could erase them. She called these badges of battle, like the ones Obi-wan bore on his left shoulder and thigh, or Anakin's harsh maiming, courtesy of a Sith Lord. They would carry those the remainder of their days.
The entry to the bacta tank was just an outer chamber connected to the main tank. Once inside they would flood the outer chamber and then the patient could enter the main tank when equalized. Obi-wan looked for the rebreather necessary to use in the tank when Barriss shook her head.
"There is a singular difference to this solution." He eyed her curiously. "It must be drawn into the lungs themselves to heal." She watched the slow incredulous climb of his left eyebrow.
"Excuse me," he queried. "Isn't that awfully similar to drowning?"
She shook her head, finally sensing the first wave of anxiety erupting from the gentle knight. "The solution is rich with oxygen. You will not drown. Humans breathe liquid for nine months of their initial lives." The sensation would not be pleasant but it would heal the inner linings of his lungs that were still badly damaged.
"I've long since forgotten how to do that," came his wry excuse. "Is there no other way?" To his annoyance, his coughing began again, and his chest burned with it.
"An extended convalescence no shorter than six months."
"Six months?" Obi-wan cursed gently.
"I am sorry, General." She knew what his decision would be on this matter. He was a warrior, a Jedi after all. The war was in full swing and he'd be out of commission for too long. "It is the fastest way to heal your lungs. Still the choice rests with you. Two days here or six months at a healing facility."
"Let's get it done. Anakin needs help and I'm not getting any younger." Grim, he stepped into the chamber, trying to control his coughing and his rising nerves.
Barriss closed the door behind him. "Lower your shields. I will make the transition easier for you, relieve the anxiety."
He almost declined but then nodded. Now was not the time to stand on masculine bravado. Blue water started filling up in the antechamber, sloshing around his ankles. He tried not to look at it.
Barriss tapped the glass lightly and Obi-wan retuned his gaze to her. Her palms rested against the outside of the tank. Closing his eyes, he covered her hands with his, and dropped all his barriers. She slipped into this mind, already sensing his panic rising with the water.
"Be calm. There is no danger here. Breathe easily. I am right beside you."
"Well, not right beside me," he pointed out to her silently.
She smiled at his humor, glad for its presence even in the face of this. "True."
The water came up to his chin, the tank filling fast so as not to prolong the anxiety of the patients. His head tilted back, trying to avoid the inevitable.
"Don't fight it, Obi-wan."
He took one last gulp of air and then the liquid covered his face; his eyes opened wide, desperately trying to subdue the alarm that had begun to build within him.
Barriss took control of his fear and Obi-wan calmed a bit. "You must take the bacta in, Master Kenobi. Don't hold your breath."
It took almost thirty seconds before Obi-wan was forced to breathe, the damning cough the culprit. His body convulsed as the fluid poured down his throat and into his lungs. His hands slammed against the glass, desperate to escape. It was as close to drowning as he ever experienced.
"Relax, Obi-wan. It is all right. The liquid is harder to move than air but you are breathing. Look at me."
And she was right. His chest was moving in and out. His eyes opened and the panic quickly subsided.
"Are you okay?"
He nodded, drawing in more of the liquid. It was an odd sensation and curiously the pain of breathing the air abated. Also, there was no cough bubbling in his chest anymore. His eyes closed a moment in relief.
She could sense his anxiety fading so she withdrew gently from him. The worst was over.
The inner chamber panel slid open and Obi-wan moved into the main tank. Immediately sensors dropped and attached to his chest and head. The fluid was so thick that he had natural buoyancy and did not sink to the bottom. The machines outside beeped dully as if from a thousand miles away.
"You did well, Obi-wan." Barriss spoke to him now through the speaker in the tank. Her voice reverberated but was understandable. "Now you only need to rest. Take this time to meditate and heal. We'll introduce a sedative if you wish so you can sleep more comfortably."
He nodded again, anything to make the time go by quicker. The war and Anakin needed him.
* * *
A/N: I hope folks caught the hint of very subtle foreshadowing for the Blue Shadow Virus episode. Hopefully you all know now who was the mastermind behind the Jedi Killer poison!