Chapter Thirteen
The trembling starts around mid evening that day. Soothing hands calm the first symptoms that Padmé recognizes as withdrawal tremors, but within just a couple of hours, the slight trembling turns into full body spasms and she is forced to physically hold Obi-Wan down. She places his upper body across her lap as she sits on his cot, her arms tightly wound about him, rocking him gently as wave after wave of fierce tremors shake his frame.
His teeth chatter together as he tries to form words.
"P...p..please. Just one h...h...hit."
"Sh." The young woman soothes him, running a hand up and down his bicep. "We're going to get through this."
"I c...c...can't."
"Do you remember the beginning of the Clone Wars?" Padmé softly narrates, trying to distract him. "You were injured during that awful battle with Count Dooku. I remember the severe burns on your arm and leg. You were barely able to stand. That must've hurt something terrible."
A vague memory of that time flashes in Obi-Wan's mind amidst the chaos of his present suffering. He realizes though, that she hadn't mentioned his apprentice, who had in fact lost his arm during that same fight and he wonders why.
"Th...that was n...n...nothing."
Not compared to this! It feels like his skin is being peeled from his body and his head is going to explode!
"You've always been so strong and brave, Obi-Wan." Padmé murmurs against his scalp, her breath tousling his overgrown locks.
"S..s...so were y..you."
Following his statement, the trembling ceases, Padmé lifts her head, and their gazes lock. The same question of 'What happened to us?' passes unspoken between them. But Obi-Wan suddenly seizes violently, his eyes roll back in his head and he collapses in Padmé s arms, gratefully going unconscious once again.
Padmé continues rocking his now motionless form, her cheek pressed along his, whispering words against his beard.
"We've been through much, you and I. Perhaps it is time to begin healing."
---
Sunlight filters through the dust dancing in the air of the small Tatooine hut. The distant lonely call of a grazing dewback adds to the serenity of the morning after such a difficult night.
Steely-gray eyes flutter open to gaze upon deep brown orbs hovering over him; small, smooth fingertips tenderly caress along his temples and cheekbones.
"Good morning." Padmé replies cheerfully with a smile, but the face beneath her is still grim and creased with lines of dull pain.
"Do you think you can sit up?"
A nod of his head is the only reply she receives. She knows he is trying to justify her presence; to figure out how she could possibly be here. The spice is nearly gone from his system now, and his awareness is slowly returning.
Padmé helps him rise to sit upon a stool she has found, wrapping the blanket around the lower half of his still-nude body.
Once assured that he is stable, she goes into the kitchen to retrieve a few needed items. She returns with a pair of shears, a bar of soap, a towel, a bowl of water, and a straight-edge razor.
"It's time to make you more presentable, Master Jedi." She teases.
Quietly, Padmé trims the long locks of hair away from his face and off the nape of his neck. Blue-gray eyes are now easily seen, and she continues grooming Obi-Wan, next trimming his beard and moustache, and then shaving underneath his chin.
As the sharp edge of the razor eliminates the mixture of copper and gray whiskers, Padmé smiles.
"I recall a clean-shaven padawan coming to Naboo. So full of himself. So confident and just a little bit cocky."
Another smile as one of his brows rise.
"I thought he was particularly handsome then, but I believe I prefer you with a beard. It makes you appear much more distinguished. As a General of the Republic should be."
"I'm no longer a General." Obi-Wan's voice croaks. "There is no Republic."
"Maybe not." Padmé agrees, placing the razor into the dish of water and wiping away the soap from his face and neck. She then stands back to admire her handiwork and the extremely handsome man she has uncovered.
"But you are a Jedi. And now, you look like one."