Author's note: Better late than never! :D So, I didn't include my comments on the chapters in this version here on FanFiction like I did with the version on Archive of Our Own because I didn't want to edit all my chapters again, just to get my notes in. By the way, you can find me there as l_1Z4RD ;). Anyway, from now on I'll be including them here as well.

Here are a few things I'd like to say:

At first, thank you for reading my story so far and for the reviews!

Second, you may have noticed that there a few mistakes in this story concerning grammar. You must know, English is not my first language, so I apologize for my mistakes! I don't have a beta reader or something like that so I simply oversee mistakes from time to time.

See the end of this chapter for further notes (also replies to the reviews).

Disclaimer: I don't own the rights for the song used in this chapter!

Chapter 26 – Just This Once

„Don't strain yourself too much or you'll be back here in no time."

"Yes."

"I'm serious, Obi-Wan." Master Che was standing in front him with a stern expression, hands on her hips.

The jedi master sighed. It became exhausting to hear the same drill over and over again. He knew his limits. He just wanted to go home.

"I know, Master Che. Can I go now, please?" Obi-Wan had been waiting for hours, the medics had been running some final tests, clearing him ready for his release. Both his legs were dangling over the side of his hospital bed, ready to jump to his feet.

Well, if he could do so, at least. His strength had improved a lot over the past few days, the new brace was doing an extraordinary job. Anakin was really gifted concerning mechanics. Still, he was not able to walk completely without support. The only advantage was that the wheelchair was exchanged against his crutches. He was back at standing upright again.

A small step, but better than nothing. Obi-Wan could walk small distances on his own, he was limping but it was progress. At least the pain had lessened to a minimum, he was optimistic to get rid of it completely in the next months.

The head healer was studying him again before handing him his papers. "Okay then. I'll see you in the next days for the checkups."

Nodding, the jedi pressed his lips into a thin line and forced a small smile. Freedom.

Tucking the papers into his robes, he got to his feet and limped over to the corner of the room, where he had left his crutches. 'Just get out of this hellhole', he mused to himself as he adjusted his grip.

Obi-Wan turned around and faced the Twi'lek healer again. "I should thank you, I guess." 'For saving my life. For being there for Satine.' The unspoken words hung in the air, but the Force sang with truth. Master Che had gone way beyond her duties as a healer.

"I was just doing my job", the woman said with a knowing smile.

He huffed at that and shook his head. "We both know you did more than that. So… if you need anything, just tell me." It was the least he could do.

Master Che snorted. "How about you and the rest of your lineage tries to stay out of my healing halls for once in a while?", she chuckled, turning towards the door, "You would spare me a lot of work."

Obi-Wan watched as she disappeared in the hallway and lowered his head in thought. "Yeah, as soon as this blasted war ends", he mumbled sadly.

The jedi master left the halls a short time later, slowly trailing through the temple. A lot of jedi turned their heads as he passed by. Apparently, the news had made their rounds in the temple. His accident. The coma. The Sith attack. Not that the scar on his head and the brace weren't obvious enough.

He sighed in surrender and pulled the hood of his robe over his head. Quickening his pace a little, Obi-Wan made his way to his quarters. Just get away from the stares. As he arrived at his front door, he was about to use the biopad when he felt an incredible amount of anger in the Force.

Ahsoka. Whatever she was upset about, the girl was bristling with ill-mannered energy.

"What did Anakin do this time?", he groaned more to himself. He fixed his gaze on the turbolift on the end of the corridor and waited for the walking inferno to arrive.

It only took a few seconds before the doors opened and a disgruntled Tortuga stepped out.

As the girl stomped towards him, he removed the hood from his head and gave a small smile.

"Who are you trying to kill with this glare, young one?", he asked bemused.

The padawan's shoulders slumped a little before she bit out: "It's Master Skywalker."

Obi-Wan hummed in response. "I guessed so." He pressed his hand on the biopad and let the door open. "Come on, get in", the jedi master said, tilting his head.

Trailing inside behind the padawan, Obi-Wan examined his rooms. To his surprise, almost everything was in the same spot he left it half a year ago. Someone must have been here though, as it looked like the floor and shelves had been cleaned from time to time. Looking inside his kitchen, he also noticed that most of his food had been removed. 'It wouldn't have been good anymore either way.'

Ahsoka had flopped down on his couch in the sitting area, arms thrown across her eyes. Obi-Wan had to smile slightly. She didn't even know how much she and Anakin resembled each other.

He discarded his crutches near the entrance and started to set up the kettle for tea.

"So, you want to talk about it?", he called from the kitchen, filling their cups. The padawan shifted on the coach and made room for him to sit down. Obi-Wan limped over and placed the cup in her hands, then sat down himself.

Ahsoka pushed herself up a little and pulled her legs to her chest. She traced the rim of the warm cup with her finger and studied the liquid inside.

"Anakin lied to me", she mumbled, not looking up.

Obi-Wan perked up at that. He had thought they had been over this. "He lied? Why?"

"I don't know. He was acting strange. Said he had a meeting with the chancellor."

His brows furrowed. He didn't like this at all, Palpatine had been a thorn in their side since the beginning of the war. Plus, he always got a chilly feeling when he was near the man. He had felt it the first time he had met him on Naboo all these years ago.

"I don't like this. Anakin must have sensed something and he isn't telling us."

Ahsoka sipped from her tea. "Do you have an idea why he's not talking?"

"His connection with Palpatine…", Obi-Wan contemplated about which words to use, "has always been strange and concerning. But everytime I told him about my worries about their relationship, Anakin closed himself off and snapped at me."

"Sounds just like him. I just can't believe he doesn't trust us enough." The padawan sounded disheartened.

Obi-Wan drank from his own tea and thought about it. He knew that feeling. First Qui-Gon, later Anakin. Somehow, he had never been worthy enough.

Their conversation was interrupted by a soft knock on the door.

"You're expecting someone?", Ahsoka asked, craning her neck to get a good look on the door.

"Not that I know of." The jedi master put down his cup on the small table and got to his feet. He could have used the Force to open the door, but somehow, he didn't feel like it now. Obi-Wan hobbled over to the pad and pushed the button to reveal their guest on the other side.

She almost had to laugh as she looked at his face. Blue-grey eyes wide open, expression frozen in irritation. Satine knew she maybe should have called beforehand, but after Master Che had told her that Obi-Wan should be released today, she thought that it would be a nice surprise.

It took him a moment before he caught himself again. He began to smile and his eyes lightened up.

"Satine…hey."

She didn't waste another second and pulled the man into a hug. It was still hard to believe that he was actually standing in front of her and wasn't vanishing again right under her grasp. As her arms looped around his chest, Satine felt that he was still way too thin.

"I've missed you so much."

Obi-Wan returned the embrace and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. Out of the corner of her eyes, she noticed that the stubbles of his beard sported a lot more grey hairs than before. Satine didn't tease him about it now, it wouldn't be fair after what he'd been through.

He pulled back slowly. "How about you come in?"

The jedi master stepped aside and Satine entered the apartment, where she noticed Ahsoka observing them from her place on the couch. The girl was grinning over her whole face with delight.

"Ahsoka, it's so good to see you", she greeted the padawan.

"You as well, duchess."

"Please, call me Satine."

The teenager nodded shortly in acknowledgement.

Satine turned back to Obi-Wan, who was still standing somewhere behind here.

"How come Anakin isn't here?" Usually the two of them weren't far apart.

The jedi master huffed and shot a quick glance towards Ahsoka, before his eyes rested again on her. "Anakin's protecting Padme. We have reason to believe that the Sith lord is focusing on people that are close to him."

The Sith lord. Satine had never really asked what that monster did inside Obi-Wan's head. Not that the jedi necessarily wanted to talk about. He had mentioned the attack briefly in one of their talks but had then stowed the subject away.

Before she could ask him, Obi-Wan beat her to it. "How did you get inside the temple? Normally, they don't let outsiders roam the temple halls freely."

The duchess had to chuckle slightly. "Well, I got help from a friend of yours."

The jedi master lifted an eyebrow in confusion. "A friend? As far as I know Master Plo is out on the front lines."

"It wasn't Master Koon", she smiled, Obi still didn't have a clue, "but a child hood friend of yours." Satine had only met the man briefly before but she knew that he understood how to get on Obi-Wan's nerves.

"You're speaking in riddles, Satine," he said, even more lost.

"Okay, let's see. Who's the jedi who's annoying you the most?"

Obi-Wan snorted. "Is that really a question? You know it's Anakin."

Rolling her eyes, Satine sighed. "Apart from your lineage, Obi."

The man shrugged. "I don't know. Master Windu? I don't see where you are going with this."

"Try again." It was so funny to see him tapping in the dark.

He groaned and threw his head back. "Do I even want to know?"

"Come on, Obi. There aren't that many that drive you insane."

"That's a good joke", Obi-Wan sighed exasperated, "my last guess is Quinlan Vos, but I haven't seen him in years. The last thing I heard was that he left the order."

"Nevertheless, your guess is right. I ran into him by accident and he snuck me into the temple. He's here on Coruscant."

He blinked at her with wide eyes. "… I didn't know that", he mumbled absently, "did he say something? Where has he been all the time?"

Satine shrugged. "He didn't say, I'm afraid. But he asked me to give this to you." She held a small piece of flimsi out to him.

Obi-Wan took the paper from her hand hesitantly and unfolded it. Something was written on it in messy letters, but Satine couldn't discern what it was from her spot. A small smile crept over his face, as he read the short message. After that he folded it neatly and let it disappear in his robes.

"What did he write?" Curiosity got the better of her.

The jedi master grinned. "He told me where to find him."

Suddenly their conversation was interrupted by a small voice chiming in. Ahsoka. The girl had watched them the whole time and Satine somehow felt a little sorry for letting her out of the topic.

"I don't know about you, but I start to feel rather hungry."

Satine chuckled, apparently it was a habit of all padawans to be constantly hungry. She knew that Obi-Wan had quite the appetite himself when he was younger. But the girl was right, it was turning dark outside and she could take a few bites to eat as well.

She eyed Obi-Wan who was shaking his head in amusement at Ahoska's statement.

"Do you have an idea, Obi?"

"Well, as my kitchen is more than empty right now and I guess that Anakin's apartment isn't equipped much better, we either order something or eat outside."

Immediately, Ahsoka's eyes lit up with excitement. "Can we go to Dex', please? It's been so long since we've been there!"

Satine almost felt it in her own skin that Obi-Wan wasn't really keen on the idea just by watching his face twist marginally. Which was understandable. The Sith lord. The media. Even the jedi themselves. They were watched from all corners and it prickled on his skin uncomfortable. Still, she didn't want to deny the padawan her wish, as she deserved some down time after all as well.

"Come on, Obi", she whispered to him," we'll be fine. It's just for this one evening."

His blue eyes were filled with concern and uneasiness as they locked on hers. He held her gaze for a few seconds before his shoulders sagged in defeat and he nodded in acknowledgement.

"Fine, but we should go there in civilian clothes. Don't need attract more attention than necessary", he sighed wearily.

"Thank you, master!", Ahsoka exclaimed excitedly, "I'll get changed and meet you at the exit."

Before either of them could say something, the Tortuga was already out of the door.

"She's got quite some energy", Satine chuckled, looking at the door.

"Mhm", Obi-Wan grumbled, "I don't get grey hairs from nothing."

The man limped past her and made his way towards his room, probably to change. As she observed him, she noticed that he was wearing a new brace but still seemed to have trouble with walking.

"Should you walk that long?", she called after him.

"I'm fine", came the clipped reply from next door, "just don't start bugging me about it as well, okay?"

If she didn't know him better, Satine might have been offended by his attitude. But she could imagine that it must become exhausting to hear the same thing over and over.

Obi-Wan emerged from his room a few minutes later. She had seen him in civilian attire before but nevertheless it never ceased to amaze her how different he looked. The jedi had donned a pair of dark grey trousers, black boots, a white long sleeve shirt and a dark brown leather jacket with a beige hood.

"You ready to go?", he asked with a pressed smile, while he approached her.

Satine knew that the idea still didn't sit well with him. "Obi, if you're not comfortable with…"

"No, it's okay", Obi-Wan shook his head, "you're right. Ahsoka deserves some sense of normality. I'm probably just on edge today."

He grabbed his crutches by the door and waited for her. "Let's not keep her waiting."

"Sure." She didn't like that Obi-Wan had ignored his bad feeling. Usually, the man had an eye for lurking danger. Maybe she should not have convinced him to go out.

They went through the temple halls which where surprisingly quiet and empty. The soft clicking sound accompanied their steps as Obi-Wan pushed himself forward on the crutches. Somehow the sound reminded her of their escape from Concordia. That hadn't been a good day to say at last.

They picked Ahsoka up near one of the temple's back exits and made their way to one of the lower levels taking one of the public transports. Satine had never been there before but she longed for one evening to forget her worries as well.

They had luck, no one seemed to recognize them yet. The flight didn't take long so after a few minutes the trio stepped out on the streets again.

Satine was surprised how crowded and cramped the streets were, also it was a lot darker down here. She felt Ahsoka tug her forwards. "Come, the diner is just around the corner." The padawan obviously didn't mind all the figures observing them from the corners. Maybe she was becoming paranoid too.

Obi-Wan was somewhere trailing behind the two women, observing his surroundings with a slight frown.

As they reached the diner's door Satine stopped shortly to speak to him. Ahsoka already slipped inside. One could already hear her chattering with a Besalisk, probably Dex.

"What is it?", she asked as the jedi master finally caught up to her.

The man's face scrunched up and he looked back shortly. "…I don't know. I thought I saw someone I knew."

He was worried and confused at the same time, Satine knew immediately.

"So, what's the catch?"

His blue eyes glistened coldly. "The man I believed I saw is dead."

"Obi…", she began but was interrupted.

"Just let us get inside", he quipped, opening the door for her, "apparently my mind is playing tricks on me", he added distantly.

Satine wasn't convinced at all but stepped inside. Ahsoka had taken residence on one of the tables in the corner. The girl was still talking with the Besalisk.

As she and Obi-Wan approached them, the host turned around and smiled widely at Obi-Wan.

"Obi-Wan! Long time no see, my friend!" Before the jedi could object, four strong arms looped around him and pulled him in a hug. The man almost stumbled as he lost his balance on the crutches.

"Dex…it's good to see you too", he pressed out, "but can you please stop crushing me?" Satine and Ahsoka were giggling silently on the scene before them.

The Besalisk let him down again and Obi-Wan took a deep breath.

"Thanks, Dex."

The four-armed man smiled again before he took a closer on his friend.

"What happened?", he asked, noticing the new scar and the leg injury.

Obi-Wan shrugged. "Made a mistake", he said bitterly.

Dex understood that as the sign to not press further on the subject. He motioned for them to sit down. "What can I bring you?"

They slipped onto the bench, with her sitting on the window. Obi-Wan laid the crutches under the table and maneuvered his knee in position, careful not to bump it on the tabletop.

All three of them ordered their menus and the Besalisk disappeared into the kitchen.

Satine turned her attention to Ahsoka. "Do you come here often?", she queried.

"We used to", the girl answered, "but we didn't have much time on planet lately."

She glanced at Obi-Wan and noticed that the man was pursing his lips. Was he feeling guilty about that fact? Satine nudged him slightly in the side. "Stop blaming yourself. It's not your fault."

He lifted an eyebrow and watched her with disbelief. "Is that so now? The last time you were lecturing me about the fact that the jedi were no peacekeepers no more."

She winced. Of course, Obi-Wan was right. That hadn't been fair from her. He had always tried his best. "I'm sorry."

Obi-Wan hummed in response and grabbed his drink, which had just been placed on their table by one of the waiters. He sipped at his ale and continued observing the diner.

"Master?", Ahsoka asked after a moment.

He perked up and looked at the padawan sat across from him. "What is it, Little One?"

"Would you mind to…?", she nudged her chin at something in the back of the room.

Both her and Obi-Wan twisted their backs to see what she meant. Satine chuckled as she caught eye of the object of interest.

The jedi master jerked around just as quickly and shook his head. "Oh, no no no, I'm way to sober for this", he said in denial, crossing his arms.

The padawan's eyes grew big as she started pleading. "Please master, you promised to show us!"

"I agreed on showing you, yes. But not playing in a full diner."

"You're underestimating your talent, Obi", Satine chimed in then, "come on, there is no harm done."

"I haven't played for over a decade, Tine. So, my answer is no."

"I never took you for one to shy away from a challenge."

"I don't see the challenge here", he bit back.

"Come on, just this once", Ahsoka tried.

Obi-Wan let his eyes shift between the two women before he groaned defeated, letting his head flop back. "Fine."

The padawan jumped up instantly and went to grab the instrument.

While Ahsoka was at it, the jedi master turned towards her. "Sometimes I really hate it when you do that."

Satine shrugged. "You could use some time to forget your troubles for once."

He wasn't really convinced by that, but didn't have time to object, as the guitar was placed into his hands.

It was old, Satine could tell that just by looking at it, but in well condition. Obi-Wan began to tune the instrument. "This one hasn't been played in a long time", he mumbled as he adjusted one of the strings.

"Good thing you relieve it from its misery now."

"Ha ha."

After a few minutes he seemed to be content with his measurements and looked at them.

"There are only two songs I know at the moment. The first is the one I played when we were on Mandalore", he said, eyeing Satine, "the other is a song I learned during one of my travels from an old man. He said it originated from an ancient world we only ever heard legends about."

Satine remembered the song, it had been the one he learned on Melida/Daan. It was about the war and what it did to the soldiers.

"I think we should let Ahsoka decide", she said then, smiling at the padawan.

The girl beamed up and thought about it. "I'd like to hear the song you learned from the old man."

"Of course, you would pick the hard one", Obi-Wan huffed, but flashed a smile, "but as you wish."

It took him a few tries before he got a hang on the melody. The song had a certain edge and both her and Ahsoka were immediately caught by the sound.

They were even more astonished as he started singing. Satine thought she knew his voice but it had changed so much over the years. His voice had been lighter and clearer when she heard him sing the last time.

Now it had darkened a little and it broke at some points, making it sound raspy. She certainly liked it.

"I was a highwayman

Along the coach roads I did ride

With sword and pistol by my side…"

Obi-Wan sunk deeper into his tune, oblivious to his surroundings.

"…Many a soldier shed his lifeblood on my blade

The bastards hung me in the spring of twenty-five

But I am still alive…"

The people around them had stopped talking and were watching the trio in the corner. The jedi master, to the observing eye just a man with a guitar, had caught their attention in a few seconds.

"...I was a sailor

I was born upon the tide

And with the sea I did abide…"

It felt so good to hear him sing again after all these years. Obi-Wan lost his Coruscanti accent whenever he sang. The otherwise so clear voice earned its roughness, but also kept its warmth.

"…I went aloft and furled the mainsail in a blow

And when the yards broke off they said that I got killed

But I am living still…"

Ahsoka was drawn to her grandmaster's performance. Her blue eyes were shining with awe. They had lost their dimmed expression for once.

"…I was a dam builder

Across the river deep and wide

Where steel and water did collide…"

Satine noticed that the diner had certainly filled a lot and they had quite the audience. The people were listening to Obi-Wan with interest, some of them sporting small smiles on their faces, lost in thoughts or memories.

"…I slipped and fell into the wet concrete below

They buried me in that great tomb that knows no sound

But I am still around

I'll always be around and around and around and around and around…"

Obi-Wan paused for a moment and drew a breath, before he set in again.

"…I'll fly a starship

Across the Universe divide

And when I reach the other side

I'll find a place to rest my spirit if I can

Perhaps I may become a highwayman again

Or I may simply be a single drop of rain

But I will remain

And I'll be back again, and again and again and again and again…"

He kept playing on the guitar for a few seconds before he ended the song. He had closed his eyes at some time during his performance and as he looked up now, he was more than surprised to find himself in the center of the attention.

Suddenly, a few people started applauding, who were soon to be followed by others. Obi-Wan blushed a little and sat the instrument down next to the bench.

Dex approached them from the open kitchen, their steaming food in his hands. "If I had known that you could sing, my friend", he laughed, "I might have paid you to play for once in a while. You certainly filled my restaurant." The Besalisk looked around the crowded tables and stools.

He set their food down and flashed a smile. "This goes on the house."

Obi-Wan was still irritated but managed to answer. "Uh, thank you, Dex."

They were left alone again and soon the other spectators lost their interest.

"Master, that was awesome!", Ahsoka grinned, "why did you stop playing?"

That was a good question. Obi-Wan wasn't really sure about that himself. Maybe it just hurt too much to face his inner demons. Cerasi had given him the guitar with the intention that he would be able to work through his troubles and fears. As the time had passed on, he just hadn't felt like he could even withstand a second thought on them. And as the guitar had been lost on Melida/Daan, Obi-Wan just started to stomp down his emotions again. He only sang when he felt like it, which was a rare accusation.

He propped himself up on the table with his elbows, taking another swig from his drink.

"I don't know."

The padawan was still looking at him with excitement but she seemed to understand that Obi-Wan wouldn't say more.

"…Will you teach me?"

Obi-Wan studied Ahsoka for a moment. He only noticed now how much calm she was projecting into the Force. The girl was at ease for once.

He would do anything to keep that smile on her face.

"Sure, Ahsoka."

The jedi master watched how her smile grew a little wider.

He returned the smile and nodded at her food. "Maybe you should start eating before it gets cold."

Obi-Wan let his gaze wander again before he let it rest on Satine. He was grateful for her presence. Yet, it didn't help with his uneasy feeling.

It was now completely dark outside. He still wasn't sure what he had seen. Had it been Maul? It had looked more like a creature than an actual conscious being. But then again there had been these haunting yellow eyes and the toothy grin which had been following since Naboo. He had killed the Sith apprentice. No one could have survived that fall after being cut in half.

Obi-Wan wasn't sure what it was that was lurking outside.

He only knew one thing: It was dangerous and he would do everything to keep it away from his family.

So, the song I used is called 'The Highwayman' by Jimmy Webb. There are different versions of this song from different artists. For Obi-Wan's performance I pictured him singing like in the version from The White Buffalo. If you're interested, just check it out :D

Concerning the review from jadesabrexiv: Why didn't Kenobi get an artificial knee to correct the Grievous damaged one?

I actually thought about that as well. But everytime I picture Obi-Wan in my head, he seems to be more like the traditional kind of person to me. He's not really inclined to technology so (for me at least) it made sense for him to not go for a prosthetic or an artificial replacement. But yes, regarding common sense, you're right, he should have gotten a replacement :D

Thanks for reading and see you on the next chapter!