Don't you die on me
You haven't made your peace
Live life, breathe, breathe

Within Temptation 'Dark Wings'

"Good day, Qui-Gon, I –" Dooku began.

Master Jinn groaned, but stepped in, letting the guest come in. Last time they had met, he had been left with nightmares for two weeks and meditation hadn't helped much. For conscience's sake he had sent Obi-Wan messages and had got the same response. And some months ago he decided that it would be the best to stop the messaging. He also had other sources to learn that the former Padawan was alright, not to bothering Obi-Wan himself.

"Good morning, Master Dooku!" Anakin greeted the elder Jedi from the floor, where he was assembling something… something mechanical. Qui-Gon didn't know what it was, and where Ani found spare parts, and, honestly, he was happy he didn't know. Sometimes he thought that the less you know, the better you meditate.

"Hello, Skywalker!" Dooku continued. "You see, Qui-Gon, I'm so sorry about what's happened with your previous Padawan." The elder Jedi again was sitting in Master Jinn's favorite armchair. The tall Jedi was standing near Dooku with arms crossed on his chest. Everything recalled their last meeting. Jinn was not sure about what would Dooku say this time. Last news he had heard were quite positive.

"Really?" Master Jinn asked coldly.

"Have you heard about the pirates?" Dooku casually wondered, observing Anakin, who continued making his droid and didn't pay much attention to the conversation.

"What pirates? Of course, I've heard about them! We even met them during our last mission… the tough fight. Anakin, do you remember? Anakin!"

"Ah? Of course, Master!" young Padawan assured his Master.

Qui-Gon frowned. Obi-Wan had never afforded himself such a behavior. But again, Anakis was young and he was still learning to be a Jedi. Dooku was studying them with great interest. "Like the animals in the Galactic Zoo," Jinn thought.

"So, you've heard nothing about the attack on the Agricorps," Dooku finally concluded.

"Attack? What?!" Qui-Gon turned to face his former mentor.

"You see, they attacked without any warning. Most likely, because of Valorum, who was visiting the Agricorps at the moment. Almost all farmers were killed. Even Soboles! You know, he was a great swordsman and an old friend of mine. Only some young children, who ran away in the fields, are alive. You know Acado. They have no mercy."

"And why are you sorry? I understand, it's a great loss, but why you came here to tell me that?" Qui-Gon asked suspiciously. Of course, it was a surprise! What happened with Kenobi? He had been left without any weapon… But why was Dooku so concerned?

"Valorum escaped, oh, you know, those fast private ships—"

"Yes! Fast. Special engines. Mass Effect fields." Anakin indifferently notified the elders, still trying to repair something. Dooku raised his brow surprisingly. He thought that it was inappropriate for a Padawan to interrupt the conversation of the elders.

"So, he could manage to take your former Padawan with him. I heard that he had been near the deathbed, but he is still alive now, in a coma." Dooku continued imperturbably. "That's why I'm very sorry. He was your Padawan, after all. A very promising young man—"

"When did it happen? Why don't I know about this?" Qui-Gon was furious inside, but did not show it. Even if he and Obi-Wan were not on good terms, he should been notified!

"They tried to hide that fact. But I still think that there is no point. Soboles didn't answer the last message. I investigated and, by accident, I learned about the attack. You see, Kenobi has very severe injuries and he had been being in a coma for almost a week. Chancellor's healers think that he even may not return to life."

"Indeed, it's very sad. Besides, do you know where I can find him? I think it will be appropriate if I'll visit him," Jinn said.

"Where what?"

"Obi-Wan! Ah, never mind, I'll manage. I was happy to see you…" Qui-Gon nodded toward the door.

"You have no manners," Dooku said disapprovingly. "Goodbye, young Anakin!" he stood up and went away, grinning.

Skywalker didn't notice anything and continued his work.

Obi-Wan sadly bowed his head; he was aimlessly staring at the grass under his feet. Bant approached the bench and sat near him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders.

"So, I'm finally free, with no Jedi Order, no Agricorps, no nothing! And you say I should return?" he said disappointedly.

"Do you know the prophecy about the Chosen One?" The Mon-Calamary continued, ignoring his last phrase.

"A stupid question, I suppose. The Chosen One, I mean, Anakin Skywalker, brings the balance to the Force. Why are you asking? You don't think that I am the Chosen One, do you?" he chuckled.

"No, of course, you are not."

"Well, if I were, Qui-Gon probably would be training me right now," the young man smiled.

"Consider it as an example. How many chances did you have to make a crash landing on Tatooine? You should be under fire, your ship should be broken, you should find this certain planet on the map and the boy should work in the shop, where Master Jinn came to seek that missing part! Just think about it. What if you had been there instead of your mentor?"

"Well… I don't know. I suppose I could leave the boy there."

"I believe all of it was worth something."

Obi-Wan didn't answer.

"Call it the will of the Force or something like that, but look at the big picture," Bant continued.

"Why are you telling me that?" the young man frowned.

"I only want to say that your return back to the life means something too. So many people died and you are in a coma. You will live."

Obi-Wan pulled his Padawan braid, a habitual gesture during Apprentice years.

"Something will happen soon. I sensed it during my meditation, in the Force. Don't you have the same feeling, Obi-Wan?" She suddenly became very serious.

"I had some strange nightmares, but it's all right!" Obi-Wan answered in the voice which betrayed no emotions, though he on purpose didn't mention his fears about those dreams.

She shook her head, perhaps, disbelieving him, but didn't comment.

"The Force… I saw something, but the future is very uncertain. I don't know what will happen with Anakin, or with Qui-Gon, or even with you. But I definitely know that you're very important. All three of you. And you are not dead."

There was a long pause.

After some moments, which were like eternity to Obi-Wan, he felt that he began to… disappear.

"Just… ignore my thoughts, live a life for all of us," Bant whispered.