The General and Commander Skywalker landed their ships after a brief reconnaissance mission. Anakin remarked upon exiting his ship. "Nothing going on out there; I think the Separatists are all but gone."
Kenobi agreed. "Yes, and it will be time we were leaving too."
"You are usually more upbeat about our victories."
Kenobi didn't answer right away but instead quickened his pace toward the entrance of the command post. "Some victories are more costly than others."
Keenly aware that Lady Organa's fate weighed heavily on his mentor, Skywalker caught up to him. "I'm sure the new antidote will work Master; it has to."
They entered the command post and the trooper on duty handed him a message. The General read it and turned toward Anakin. "See to the withdraw of our forces. I will join you as soon as I can."
"Of course Master…but where are you going? Is something wrong?"
He was already walking out the door. "I don't know, Senator Organa has asked to see me."
Kenobi found the Senator outside Amira's room. He was afraid to ask the question that had been on his mind that last several hours. "Senator, I received your message."
Bail Organa did something completely uncharacteristic, at least in Kenobi's experience. He clasped the General by the shoulders and pulled him into fierce embrace. "Its' working…Amira is responding to the antidote."
The two men separated and Kenobi released a deep breath. "Thank the Force. Is she…awake?"
The Senator shook his head but not the smile on his face. "No, not yet, but her vitals have been getting stronger by the hour. They removed the ventilator just a short while ago. She is breathing on her own."
"That's the best news I've heard in a very long time." Obi-Wan smiled.
Bail Organa flushed somewhat as his stomach gave out a hardy growl. "Forgive me General; it's been several hours since I've eaten."
"Perhaps you should get a meal."
Bail hesitated. "…I don't wish to leave her." He added. "Would you sit with her while I get some food?"
"Of course; take your time Senator."
As the Senator walked away Kenobi slowly pushed open the door and stepped inside. It was dimly lit and very quiet. He stepped to the bed and reached for her hand. It nearly brought tears to his eyes to feel warmth and the life force once again flowing strongly through her. "You fought well" he whispered.
As he caressed the top of her hand with his thumb he thought he felt her fingers move. It was a tiny movement, almost imperceptible. Obi-Wan held his breath and asked "Amira; do you hear me?"
This time there was no mistaking it. Her fingers moved and then slowly wrapped around his. His heart leapt and he released the breath he had been holding. He folded both his hands around hers and squeezed gently. "Amira; it's Obi-Wan."
He studied her face intently hoping she might open her eyes. He was dismayed to see tears begin to flow from beneath her closed lids. He cupped her cheek. "Don't cry, everything is alright; Can you open your eyes?"
Fear was all she felt; she had very little comprehension of where she was. She was lost in darkness, but he was there telling her it was alright; the voice she trusted beyond all others asking her to open her eyes. It seemed such an easy task but took so much strength.
As he watched, her eyes fluttered and then blinked and finally opened. She immediately closed them again as even the dim light felt harsh. He soothed her. "Go slowly; let your eyes adjust."
She tried again and this time the light was tolerable and her eyes opened fully and focused on him. Still unsure what had happened she searched her memory trying to remember something. She began to cry again out of frustration.
He smiled and swallowed the emotion rising up from deep in his chest. "You're alright; it's alright now." He wiped the tears from her cheeks.
Amira wanted to speak but felt as if she'd forgotten how. Her lips moved but she could not utter a sound, and there was a horrible dryness and pain in her throat.
Obi-Wan hovered over her. "Don't try to talk. You've been on a ventilator. Do you understand? It will take time to get back your voice."
She nodded and with what seemed like a herculean effort brought her free hand up to touch his face. It was just a brush of her finger tips against his cheek but it said everything she could not.
He captured her hand in his and brought it to his lips brushing the inside of her palm with a kiss. "I thought I would lose you." He lowered her hand to his heart and held it there, cupped in his own, unable to say anything else.
Again she tried to speak, but her mouth opened and closed without sound. He lightly pressed his finger tips to her lips. "Save your strength, rest; I will be here when you wake."
She nodded sleepily her eyes fluttered and closed and opened again. He did not encourage her to remain awake. "Sleep." Her eyes closed again and remained shut. He leaned in and kissed her forehead softly. "I love you."
Though he was beside himself with joy to see her awake, Bail did not have the inclination to interrupt and waited quietly in the doorway.
The General was so tender with his sister and with the battle on Boz Pity over it was only a matter of time before he would be called away to the next engagement and they would be parted again.
Obi-Wan released her hand and stood up turning to find the Senator, he made no excuse but offered an apology. "Forgive me Senator I should have had you paged as soon as she woke. I'm afraid I've been selfish."
Walking further into the room Bail replied, "I think it marvelous that you were here when she woke." He looked Kenobi in the eyes. "I've known that my sister loves you for some time now. It does my heart good to know you share her affection."
The General nodded. "She deserves far better than I."
"She wouldn't agree with that and neither do I."
Kenobi shook his head sadly. "I can't be a husband or give her a family. I'm never in one place, my duties take…"
Bail interrupted him. "I know my sister and she has not asked you to stop being who you are; nor will she." He smiled warmly. "Just love her."
"I do Senator; very much."
