It took Anakin a few moments to realise Iella was struggling to stop coughing. His panic returned as he quickly released her as if he had been scalded. She was coughing in fits, each cough shaking her whole body in strong heaves. Obi-Wan ran to Master Che who was appalled to find the girl who was dead a matter of minutes ago, alive and awake. But that sudden bewilderment was replaced by action as she hurriedly grabbed an oxygen mask and fit it over Iella's face.
"Iella, Iella you need to take deep breaths, big deep breaths." Master Che soothed as Iella's coughing as it was replaced by deep, but shaky inhalations.
Then came the process of tests. Checking every system, every organ, every part to be sure that she was alright. And she was. The only sign of her illness that remained was the sable and persimmon markings that branched up in contrasting swirling and jagged contours to cover both sides of her face. She still had the large laceration on her arm but it was healing to leave a large scar across her forearm. She was still required to stay in the Medi-Centre for another 2 days, much to Iella's chagrin. She just wanted to go home. The white walls of the Medi-Centre were too bare and sterile. She longed for the warm tan colours of home. But even Anakin, the man who hated the Medi-Centre and would frequently escape against medical advice, believed Iella should stay. She'd been having violent nightmares and coughing fits that would completely drain her. Anakin stayed with her, through every nightmare and seizure, comforting her, calming her because he knows that if they were in opposite places, she'd do the same. The two days passed slowly and Iella was released only on the condition that she would rest for another 2 days before only starting very light training. Master Che made this very clear to both parties. Telling Iella sternly but turning to the person that it was truly directed too. She looked Anakin in the eyes and slowly repeated the sentence, making sure that he understood. He nodded with a slight smirk echoing on his face, it was clear that this situation had happened before.
Slowly, they made their way down the corridors and elevators to the residential levels. Iella was still a little unsteady on her feet but determination and tenacity resonated through the Bond. She was unwilling to let Skywalker help her, determined to show that she was strong enough to do it herself. She was only 13 years old but already she was showing more strength and intelligence in her training than most of the older Padawans. As they entered the quarters, tranquility and comfort permeated the Force and Bond as Iella returned home. By the time they made it back, she was quite tired having not walked in a few days. She retired to her room while Anakin prepared the evening meal. The quarters once more rang with the feeling of home as Anakin allowed a small smile to emerge on his face. The road had been long and hard, troubled and grief-stricken, and they were still moving, they were closer to their destination, a place Anakin thought they would never make it to after Iella's collapse.
An hour later, Iella emerged from her room, dressed in a fresh set of robes, the light khaki and bronze accent the streaks that are, according to Master Che, now permanently emblazoned on her face. There's a knock on the metal door to their quarters and Iella walks quickly over to the door to reveal the spirited face of Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. A smile cracks Iella's face for the first time in a while and the whole room lit up. In a rush of exuberance, Iella enveloped, or at least attempted to, Obi-Wan's broad physique in a hug. He glanced at Anakin, shocked for a moment at the Padawan's actions, before returning the hug with enthusiasm. She had seen him in the Medi-Centre over the past few days but this was the first opportunity for her to actually hug him. She released him and they sat down for the evening meal. Discovering that Anakin's cooking still had not improved even after Obi-Wan's multiple attempts at giving him cooking lessons, the trio headed to Dex's Diner instead. Obi-wan had offered to cook but Anakin did not need any of his sarcastic comments about Anakin's cooking skills and Iella needed to get out of the Temple for a bit. They dined and chatted sharing colourful tales about each other. Obi-Wan had an abundant amount of stories about Anakin from his Padawan days. Iella was enthusiastically immersed in these stories, a wide grin plastered across her face the whole time. Anakin was less than enthusiastic about having these experiences shared and constantly tried to correct Obi-Wan in an a fruitless attempt to keep his reputation. Obi-Wan was not letting Anakin get the upper hand however and he continued to share countless stories. By the end, Anakin's cheeks were a surprising shade of beetroot.
They returned to their quarters later, stomachs full and hearts joyous. Iella sitting down on the couch, datapad and stylus in hand, sketching, Anakin writing a report, and Obi-Wan returning to his quarters. After only a few minutes, the steady tapping of Iella's stylus slowed to a stop. Anakin, surprised by the sudden silence, looked over at Iella to find her head slumped over, fast asleep a small grin perched on her lips. He chuckled to himself before carefully lifting her up and tucking her into her sleep pallet. He returned to the common room and picked up the datapad. Beautifully penned in electronic ink, was the most elegant ship design he had ever seen. The wings curved in graceful arcs, the body thinned to a point creating a stunning and efficient design that echoed all the style and grace of the best buildings of Coruscant, the strength and stability of the Jedi Temple, and the effortless beauty and sheer tenacity of nature and the Force.
Once more at the bottom of the page, the ship name was penned, Skywalker.
And Anakin smiled.