With or Without You- U2

"Shuri, this is Jedi Master Barriss Offee, Barriss, this is Shuri Aldreska, a former military psychiatrist."

"Nice to meet you."

"How do you do."

Both women shook each other's hands with pleasant smiles attached to their faces. Noting the conservative robes of the jedi healer, the blonde was happy with her choice of burgundy dress. The dress helped her to blend with its square neckline, bell sleeves and high waist-lined skirts.

The banquet hall of the Naboo-ian palace was decked in the colors of the Republic along with the flags of different races and governments. It truly was a gathering of diversity and negotiations. Tomorrow the real work would begin but today was for settling in and getting acquainted.

Despite the large amounts of people present, the three were able to hear each other just fine. After finding an empty table, the group sat and waited to be served.

"Are you here for negotiations as well?" Barriss asked politely.

Shuri chuckled, "Heaven's no, General Kenobi and I go way back. I asked to meet you as a favor."

"Really?" The olive skinned Mirilian raised an arched brow. Obi Wan had mentioned something about business.

"Yes. Recently, I've been helping the General with a sleeping problem, but despite progress I was starting to suspect that it may have been more of a…" Shuri searched for a word, "spiritual matter."

Barriss looked to the blonde in front of her and then to Obi Wan.

"Is that so? This is the first time I've heard of such an issue," she directed at the male jedi. "Were you doubtful of my skill, Master Obi Wan?"

The man in question smiled apologetically. "Not at all, I hadn't seen Shuri in quite some time and the time away from the temple helped tremendously. I trust your approach, but the problem is nearly non-existent now. Shuri, being the curious type she is, simply wanted to talk to a Jedi healer to see the difference in technique."

The Mirilian looked a bit skeptical but accepted his explanation nonetheless.'What's he hiding?' She thought before her musings were interrupted by a female standing a ways away.

"Master Obi Wan."

Turning at the sound of his name, Obi Wan smiled kindly at a fellow ambassador who waved from a few tables over.

"Ladies," he excused himself to talk to the individual. The two watched him go just as a server asked them what they preferred to eat and drink. Both requested water and something vegetarian-like.

"You were saying," Barriss prompted after they'd gotten their food and drinks.

"I guess I'm just curious about some things, and since Obi Wan refuses to humor me, I asked if there was anyone else I could bug about the healing aspects of your practice." Shuri took a bite of her meal and smiled.

Barriss looked intrigued. "What is it that you wanted to know?"

The blonde swallowed before asking her first question. "What exactly is the force? I've always assumed that it's some type of will-power or spiritual ability people are born with."

"No one is completely sure of what the force is, but most people seem to agree that it's something that connects us. Many say that it is the binding fabric of the universe. I suppose for lack of better terms one can assume that through will-power and meditation, it is something of a spiritual ability that certain people can tap into." Master Offee took a bite and hummed as well.

"So what you're saying is despite its interconnecting nature, not everyone can use it, or manipulate it?"

She nodded while swallowing. "Right. The higher a person's midi-chiorian count, the more likely they are able to be a force-user."

"So, where did the split in users come from?"

"What do you mean?"

"I've never really seen force-users in combat, but there are two sides, right? What I mean to ask is how is the malevolent part of the force able to manifest itself? What's it like?" She savored the next mouthful as she followed the other's explanation.

"Jedi refer to the 'light side' and the 'dark side,' but really, these are only words and the force is beyond words. It is not evil, just as it isn't good- it's simply what it is. Is fire anymore evil than water because it burns? Just as it is capable of destruction it is also capable of warmth and security. Like the nature of the elements are left for interpretation, the force is left to the interpretation of its users."

"Really?" Shuri's eyes lit up as she dabbed at the corners of her mouth. "So it's safe to say that emotions play a vital role in a person's abilities?" She took a sip of water.

"Very much so. Like the expression, 'I was seeing red,' the force can respond accordingly to the user's frame of mind intensifying the person's action."

"Is it possible for one to lose control of their abilities?"

Barriss laughed pausing her fork's destination to her mouth, "No. It's not like a device where it's capable of malfunction- You either use it or you don't."

"But say its user was," A spark of excitement could be heard in her Shuri's voice.

"Was what?" Barriss asked with furrowed brows as she chewed and swallowed.

"Capable of malfunction. Is it possible for a force user to unconsciously use their abilities if upset enough?"

Barriss' expression remained one of confusion as she continued eating.

"Like sleep-walking." Shuri tried to explain.

The dark robed woman looked to be mulling over her words, before shaking her head.

"Humor me," Shuri deadpanned before going in for another bite as well.

Barriss exhaled, somewhat annoyed, before speaking. "In theory, I suppose if one were unstable enough and they were subconsciously reacting to something that upset them beyond reason… then that could be a possibility."

"So have you ever heard of something like that?"

"Is that what was going on with Obi Wan?" Barriss almost sputtered leaning forward with wide eyes.

"What? Obi Wan?" Shuri blinked before a light clicked on inside her head. "Oh no… he was just stressed but there were times when I thought it may have been something more pressing." The former physician felt relieved in her nonchalant tones, though Barriss did not look completely convinced after she gathered her composure.

"You seem to be heading in a very specific direction. Is there a particular reason for this line of questioning?" She causally leaned forward as she finished her plate.

"No… just curious really." Shuri managed an expression of casual thoughtfulness before draining her water. "I'd like to think that as a psychiatrist all one would have to do is deal with their emotions and be done, but time with Obi Wan has made me… thoughtful. Which makes me ask, are you force users more likely to experience symptoms related to mental illness?"

Barriss tilted her head rustling dark robes. She daintily wiped at her mouth, "Mental illnesses?"

"Yes… Like is it possible for a person's insecurities to manifest within the force causing things like paranoia, hallucinations, delusions… things like that?"

"A friend of mine, Aayla Secura, was for a time tempted by her own demons." Shuri leaned forward, almost conspiratorially as if to say 'go on.' "She said it was like being a black hole. Everything she thought or felt ended up twisted and mangled so it would fit where she thought she wanted it to." Barriss appeared thoughtful, "Like something was whispering poison in her ear. Aayla said it was because she was angry and bitter that such things were able to cloud her mind. For a while she was a bit of a renegade."

Shuri hummed thoughtfully just as Obi Wan made his way back to where the two had finished up. Barriss pretended not to notice the look the two exchanged. What was really going on? She eyed the two before asking if they were ready to go.

Shuri glanced at the timepiece on the wall. "Oh wow! Actually, I do have to go. General, do you care to escort a lady home."

"Sure," he answered politely.

"Master Offee," he acknowledged.

Dark blue eyes glittered. "Mind if I join?" She asked pretending not to notice their surprised expressions.

Shuri shrugged, to which Obi Wan gestured as if to say 'as you wish.'

Smiling docilely, the female healer rose gracefully to follow her companions out of the hall.


Asajj sat on the floor next to her bed with a bowl of berries beside her. Seated Indian-style with her hands in a prayer-like position in front her, she took a deep breath as she cleared her mind once again focusing on healing energy and happier times.

Meditation, despite its boring nature was the only thing that had been keeping her sane the past couple of days. Tomorrow the Peace Summit would officially start, however today was something of a move-in day. She could tell Obi Wan was on Naboo somewhere. Their bond was by no means transcendent of space, but his presence in her mind was so much more clear than what it was when he was back at his temple. She could only feel wisps of him before, but now his presence was like the soft hum of a refrigerator. Quiet, but hearable.

The data pads he'd left had driven her to the point of insanity almost. She had only been able to read one before falling apart. As soon as she read about the 'Sith,' everything went down the crapper. Between night terrors, and hallucinations, the dark-haired woman had been a mess. She was thankful, her jedi was back- she really needed him.

Slouching with a sigh, she opened her eyes as she reached for a berry. She missed his calming presence so much she wondered how she was able to survive the last couple of days.


"Chancellor Palpatine?" Padme addressed Palpatine's back.

The Chancellor frowned at the three exiting the banquet halls. Allowing the corners of his mouth to pull upwards into a kind smile, he turned and spoke to Padme. "My dear girl, how are you?"

"I am well and you?" she asked with a grin of her own.

Closing his eyes for a brief second, he opened them unleashing an even bigger smile. "Absolutely splendid. This is something I didn't expect, but it's such a lovely setting nonetheless."

"Thank you," she beamed stunningly unawares of his word's true meaning.

'Lovely indeed. This should prove interesting.'


"AHHHH!"

Asajj felt as if her head were being cleaved in two. Colliding into the counter in front her, the former dark acolyte grasped her head as her neck snapped back. The empty bowl crashed onto kitchen tile as her knees buckled leaving her to catch herself on all fours.

The sound that pushed itself out of her throat was almost inhuman. Tears squeezed from her tightly closed eyes as the sharp pain set her cranium ablaze. She could feel it spilling over into the link despite her efforts to close it."Failure is unacceptable."Her eyes snapped opened at the sound of the cold hissing. Her hazy vision snapped onto the black orbs of her former master. His face had twisted into a snarl.


The jedi master clutched his head in pain, as his voice rang through the deserted hallway halting the trio.

"Bloody hell!"

"Obi Wan!" Barriss gasped as he dropped to his knees, eyes squeezed shut.

"General?" Shuri's eyes were wide with concern and panic.


"To fear is to be weak…"

His name was on the tip of her tongue but the only sound she was able to produce was a cross between a gasp and a strangled cry."Weakness breeds cowardice."

She watched with learned terror as his hand seemed to be crushing something in the middle of his palm. Her mind may have not been able to process what was occurring, but her body did seizing as his hand tightened.

"Cowardice leads to failure."Asajj grasped at the god awful fire in her chest. Silver eyes widened as her oxygen flow felt none-existent. She felt like she was choking and drowning on the cold steel floor of the Seperatist flag ship. The count sneered as he grasped her chin to stare down into her hurt-filled expression.

"Failure is unacceptable."


"S'not me…" Obi Wan managed through gritted teeth. "Shuri…"

Something seemed to click in the blonde's mind as her expression reflected her realization. Barriss looked on as Shuri fled the room as her burgundy skirts trailed behind her.

What was going on? Shaking away her inaction Barriss quickly kneeled to alleviate his ailment. Placing a cool hand against his temples she cleared her mind of all outside distractions. The hall melted away.

Focusing on cool healing energy Barriss slowly pushed her way into his subconscious soothing the flaring edges as she went by.

There was something different here, she realized, as she delved deeper looking for the source of his torment. Barriss outwardly frowned as she realized the origins of such discomfort were not because of the man bent over before her. She followed the flares until she found another presence that was both foreign and familiar to Obi Wan.

"What…" She reached out with her blue aura to touch the agitated force.

She could feel fear and anguish radiating in the matter surrounding the throbbing presence. Just a little closer, she thought as images whirred too quickly for her to grasp.

Almost there…


His invisible grip on her heart tightened sending flares of hurt that made her thrash involuntarily. Pale skin was turning blue as she wheezed pitifully. Her free hand grasped his wrist as her vision began to darken. She refused to beg… Even if he decided to kill her, she was done with begging- he'd do what he wanted anyway.

Asajj could barely hear his voice as the cold place around her began to fade."Consider this a warning," he said loosening his grip and allowing her heart to beat normally. "Next time I won't be so merciful." She felt the iciness of his invisible touch leave her as she crumpled fully onto the floor.

A pulsing ache resided along with a touch of nausea as her body fought to circulate blood and oxygen. Blue was receding as she gasped uncontrollably for air. Her eyes closed briefly, which in reality had been quite a while. When she opened them a blonde haired woman was staring down at her in obvious concern. Asajj opened her mouth to speak but never got the chance as a sharp prick followed by a cool rush of liquid took both her pain and consciousness away.


Barriss was shocked as the foreign aura closed in on itself with a violent burst of coolness. Momentarily stumped, she didn't have time to ponder as her consciousness was thrown back into the hall, which now had drawn a small crowd, staring into the weary eyes of Obi Wan Kenobi.

She looked at him with disbelief as she realized he had kicked her out of his mind. The whole ordeal had happened in about three minutes.

Blinking, she questioned him with an alarmed expression and a concerned tone, "Master Kenobi?"

He pushed himself up despite his heavy breathing.

"Master Offee," came his breathless voice. He held her gaze as he backed through the small group before taking off in the same direction Shuri had gone minutes before.

Bloody hell indeed.


A/N: Yeah… So this Summit thing is the only way I could make Obi Wan's constant running off legit. I don't think Jedi get weekends off.

Thanx for sticking around! Review please!

Quotes incorporated:

"Jedi refer to the 'light side' and the 'dark side,' but really, these are only words and the force is beyond words. It is not evil, just as it isn't good- it's simply what it is." – Quote by Barriss Offee