Obi-Wan quickly made his way to the ship with Anakin, who, despite Obi-Wan's best efforts, had passed out in his arms.

He gently laid Anakin on the ship's cot, cursing the fact that he and Ahsoka had needed to leave so hastily. The ship they had taken was not well-equipped for medical emergencies- the best he could do was put Anakin on life support and hope for the best. Carefully placing the mask over Anakin's face, Obi-Wan shrugged off his cloak and spread it over his sleeping Padawan. Anakin inhaled sharply, but his eyes remained closed.

Obi-Wan sighed and placed a hand on Anakin's forehead, frowning as he felt his apprentice's warm skin. That wasn't good.

"I'll be back soon to help heal you," he murmured softly. "We'll get you help. You'll be alright." Obi-Wan wasn't sure who he was trying to reassure.

Taking one last look at his ailing friend, Obi-Wan hurried to the cockpit, bracing himself for the second most arduous task of the day. He set up the holotransmitter, fixing his face in the most charmingly disarming expression he could muster.

Considering his luck, he wasn't at all surprised at who picked up his comm.

"Kenobi. Where. The hell. Are you."

"Hello Mace," said Obi-Wan with a winning smile. "I hope you're doing quite well. The Council meetings are going well, I hope? How did you sleep last night?"

However, charm tended to bounce off Master Windu like a bug on a speeder's windshield. Today, it seemed that Obi-Wan was destined to be that bug.

"Cut the crap, Obi-Wan. You deliberately disobeyed the Council's orders. I know you went to see Vos, and I know that you went after Maul by yourself."

"Now to be perfectly accurate, I did have some backup."

"A teenage Padawan is not appropriate backup for a rescue mission involving two Sith Lords," growled Mace. "If Skywalker doesn't kill you, I will."

"She's quite well-trained," offered Obi-Wan helplessly. "Anyway, didn't Quinlan tell you where we were?"

"No," said Mace, rubbing his head. "His comm conveniently 'broke up' before he had a chance to inform us. We were just able to verify that he was unaffected by your little favor."

"There now, it seems that all is going according to the Will of the Force," said Obi-Wan smiling brightly again.

"Don't you dare try to pull a Qui-Gon Jinn on me, Kenobi," said Mace pointing a warning finger at Obi-Wan. "Now for the last time, where the hell are you? Did you find Skywalker?"

Obi-Wan nodded. "Yes, we did, but he was injured very badly. Ahsoka and I engaged Maul and Savage, and we defeated both. They are alive, but incapacitated in an abandoned research facility on Ithor. That's actually why I commed you- we need help moving them."

"That's why you commed? Not because you went on a rogue, unauthorized mission?!" Mace sighed, rubbing his face again. "We'll talk about this later. Why can't you take them?"

"The ship we, uh, borrowed," said Obi-Wan quickly, "is too small for us to take them, and even if we could we wouldn't be able to properly restrain them should anything happen. In addition," he said glancing worriedly towards Anakin's direction, "Anakin needs medical attention immediately. We'll take him to Mandalore. I hope that the Duchess Satine will host us until Anakin is recovered enough to travel a longer distance."

"Very well," said Mace shaking his head, "I believe we have a Jedi team nearby. We'll dispatch them immediately to collect Maul and Savage. Take Skywalker to Mandalore, but understand that you and I will be having a Very. Long. Conversation. When you get back."

"You are a credit to our Order, Master Windu," said Obi-Wan bowing.

"And you're a pain in my ass, Kenobi," said Mace before ending the transmission.

Obi-Wan leaned back in his seat and sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Well. It could be worse. Probably.

Leaning forward again, Obi-Wan punched in another code, one he had memorized long ago. His stomach fluttered as he waited anxiously for his call to be accepted.

"Hello? Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan smiled awkwardly. "Hello, my dear."

Duchess Satine Kryze stared at him for a long moment, seeming to drink in every inch of his face as if making sure he was really there. Obi-Wan certainly wasn't blushing under her scrutiny. Thank the Force Anakin is asleep. He looked back at her more closely. Even in her flickering holo-image, Satine looked tired. She always tried to carry the weight of her world on her shoulders, and as much as she tried to hide it, Obi-Wan could always tell when it threatened to crush her. They gazed at each other for another beat until Satine blinked rapidly, ending her examination and regaining her composure. She fixed him with a cool stare.

"Master Kenobi. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Obi-Wan blinked, momentarily startled by the cold change in her manner. "I- well- I need your help, Satine. Do you remember Darth Maul? I believe I spoke of him to you once briefly."

Satine frowned. "The Sith who killed Master Jinn?"

Obi-Wan nodded grimly. "The same."

"Yes, I do remember. What of him?"

"He resurfaced," explained Obi-Wan. "It's a bit of a long story, but the point is that I'm on the planet Ithor with my Padawans Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano."

"Yes, I remember Knight Skywalker from the Coronet," said Satine, nodding, "And I believe Padawan Tano gave some classes to my nephew, Korkie."

"Indeed," said Obi-Wan, thankful that she seemed willing to listen. "Well, we just had a rather brutal encounter with Maul and Anakin is badly injured. I'm worried he won't make it the Jedi Temple, and we don't have much in the way of medical supplies."

"Mandalore is only a couple of hours travel from Ithor," said Satine. "I suppose you'll want to bring him here?"

"Yes, if possible," said Obi-Wan hopefully.

"Of course," said Satine, "You must bring him right away. I'll have a medical team on standby awaiting your arrival at the Sundari Palace. Knight Skywalker and Padawan Tano are most welcome."

"Satine, I cannot thank- "

"I will see you soon," said Satine curtly, before ending the transmission.

Obi-Wan blinked, staring dumbly at the space where Satine's image had been just a moment ago. That was…odd. Satine could always be rather difficult, be she seemed almost…angry at him. What had he done? Obi-Wan shook his head, pushing the issue out of his mind for now. He could sense that Ahsoka was on her way back from securing Maul, so he began to prepare the ship for take-off.

At least he didn't have to call anyone else today.

Anakin groaned as he slowly blinked into awareness, instantly wishing he was asleep again. His entire body ached and burned. It felt like a hundred pod crashes hitting him all at once.

Casting his eyes around the room, he noted that he was lying on the cot of a ship. He could hear Obi-Wan's voice distantly near the cockpit -Was that Mace Windu?- and his lips quirked a bit as he noted that Obi-Wan's cloak was covering him. Despite its tatters, he felt safe beneath the robe, Obi-Wan's Force signature lingering on it and warming him with his Master's presence.

Frowning, he tried to claw at the mask on his face and cursed when pain shot up his left arm, causing him to quickly abandon his pursuit. Anakin huffed, frustrated- he couldn't wait to get his prosthetic arm back. Stupid Sith.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, relishing the softness of the cot beneath his broken body. It was finally over. Maul was out of commission, Ahsoka was okay, and Obi-Wan-

Obi-Wan had touched the dark side. He could have Fallen.

Except he hadn't. A quick peak at their bond, which pulsed more strongly in the Force than it had ever before, showed that Obi-Wan was still rooted firmly in the light, the Force caressing one of its favorite sons.

So what exactly had happened? Anakin had seen Obi-Wan's eyes flicker yellow, had felt him call on the Dark Side of the Force. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny…

But Obi-Wan had come back. Anakin could feel it as they connected, he could practically see the dark retreating from the older Jedi. Of course it had. This was Obi-Wan kriffing Kenobi, the champion of the light.

But Obi-wan had come close for Anakin's sake. The master of non-attachment had all but admitted he was attached, and Anakin couldn't help but feel a warm delight overtake him at the thought.

Obi-Wan cares about me.

And remembering how deeply Obi-Wan had opened himself up to Anakin in the Force, allowing the young Jedi to pull him back form the dark, remembering the obvious love that Anakin had felt in those moments, he felt ashamed at ever having doubted his master's regard for him. He had severely underestimated Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Maybe… maybe he'd understand, then.

He could tell Obi-Wan. Anakin could finally shed the lies and secrets he'd kept from his master, about Tatootine, about Padme…

Of course Kenobi wouldn't understand, my dear boy, whispered Palpatine's voice in his mind. There's a reason you've held back from him for so long. He'd turn you in without a second thought.

A month ago Anakin wouldn't have hesitated to agree. A man who'd betrayed the trust of his closest friends for the sake of a mission would have certainly put his duty first and turned Anakin in to the Council. A month ago, Anakin might not have even been sure that Obi-Wan would come rescue him from Maul.

But it seemed that Anakin had been wrong about a lot of things lately.

"Anakin?" said Obi-Wan rushing over to the cot and interrupting his thoughts. "You're awake. How are you feeling?"

Anakin lifted his chin, gesturing to the mask and frowning. Obi-Wan sighed. "You need to keep it on, Anakin."

Anakin shook his head, immediately regretting it as a pounding pain erupted through his skull.

"Alright, alright," grumbled Obi-Wan, his aggravated tone betrayed by the gentleness with which he removed the mask. "Just don't hurt yourself further."

"Where are we going?" said Anakin weakly, relieved to have the device off him.

"Mandalore," said Obi-Wan softly, holding Anakin's flesh hand. "It's much closer than the Temple. We'll get you to a doctor soon."

Mandalore? "Oh, we're going to see your girlfriend," said Anakin, a ghost of a smile hovering at his lips.

"Anakin, Satine is not-I mean the Duchess -" corrected Obi-Wan pinching the bridge of his nose, "She-she just happened to be close by is all," he finished lamely.

"Hey, if you needed an excuse to see your lady you should have just told me," rasped Anakin, amused despite the urgency of his situation. "Didn't have to wait for me to get kidnapped."

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. "She is not my 'lady,' Anakin."

"Your 'Duchess,' then. Sorry, it's hard for me to remember the right titles." Anakin grinned. "I'll tell her all about how her handsome Jedi valiantly rescued me. I'll even throw in a couple of extra Sith to the story to make sure she's impressed."

"Anakin-"

"Do you want me to say you were shirtless or something? Give her food for thought." Anakin winked up at Obi-Wan before his face contorted in pain, his body reminding him of his current limits.

"I'm putting the mask back on," said Obi-Wan, his anxiety over Anakin's condition spiking. He fussed over Anakin for a few minutes, adjusting the mask and the covers to make sure his friend was as comfortable as he could make him. "There. Healing, with the added benefit of silence."

Anakin glared at him, but there was no real annoyance in his look. He could feel his body shutting down again, Obi-Wan's face starting to swim above him. Shrugging, Anakin blinked several times-he felt extremely warm. Master? he sent through their bond.

Yes, Anakin? said Obi-Wan, appearing with a cool cloth.

What happened to Maul and Savage?

The Council is sending another team to pick them up. They'll likely be locked up in the Temple, where the Jedi can keep an eye on them for now.

Oh. Is Ahsoka ok?

She's quite alright, responded Obi-Wan. I believe she's putting us in hyperspace now.

Anakin nodded, laying still and exhausted as he felt Obi-Wan send healing pulses to him through the Force. He wiped the sweat off of Anakin's face, soothing his padawan's pain as best he could. Warmed by the safety of Obi-Wan's presence beside him, and of Ahsoka's in the cockpit, Anakin could feel the horror of the past week slipping away. His eyelids were drooping.

Master?

Yes, Anakin?

We- we're gonna be ok, right?

Obi-Wan smiled as he pressed the cloth against Anakin's forehead. Yes, Anakin. I think we will be. But rest for now. There will be time to talk later.

Anakin nodded, eyes sliding shut. They would talk later. All would be well.

They landed on Mandalore a couple of hours later, reaching the Sundari Palace with little problem. As Ahsoka landed the ship, Obi-Wan lifted an unconscious Anakin in his arms and stood waiting impatiently for the ramp to open. Anakin hadn't woken since they had entered hyperspace, and Obi-Wan was no healer. He was anxious to have Anakin in a hospital as soon as possible.

The ramp finally lowered and Obi-Wan strode down to the landing. His heart leapt as he saw the medical team already waiting for them, just as Satine had promised. Thank you my dear, said Obi-Wan silently as he helped transfer Anakin to the medical pod. He spoke quickly with one of the medical assistants, describing as best he could the nature of Anakin's injuries as the young doctor quickly recorded everything, frowning.

Finishing his report, Obi-Wan made to follow the medical team inside with Anakin when a young woman stopped him. "Master Kenobi?" she asked.

"Yes?" said Obi-Wan, eyes still following Anakin's progress toward the palace.

"Hello!" said the young woman brightly. "My name is Zeria Qitt. I am here to help settle you and Padawan Tano at the palace while you stay with us. May I show you to your rooms?"

"Our rooms?" said Ahsoka joining them. "But we'd like to stay with Master Skywalker."

"I'm afraid you'll have to wait until the lead doctor gives the ok," said Zeria smiling regretfully, "Dr. Brobuu runs her medical center quite strictly, and she's not very keen on visitors hovering during the initial stages of treatment."

"But-"

"Rest assured, your friend will receive the best possible attention. Dr. Brobuu is very good at what she does," said Zeria looking between Obi-Wan and Ahsoka. "However, the Duchess did instruct that the rooms closest to the medical wing be prepared for you. I think she suspected that you'd like to stay near your friend. If you'd like, I can show you your accomdations and then we can check in with the doctors."

"Very well," said Obi-Wan. He looked over to Ahsoka, who looked like she was about to continue arguing. "There's not much more we can do for Anakin now," he explained placing a hand on her shoulder. "The best we can do is settle ourselves and rest for a bit so that we can give Anakin whatever help he needs when he wakes up."

"Alright, " said Ahsoka reluctantly, crossing her arms. She snorted. "We'll probably need all the energy we can get to stop him from escaping his room, if history has taught us anything."

Obi-Wan smiled. "Indeed."

"Great!" said Zeria happily. "Let's get going then."

Obi-Wan and Ahsoka followed Zeria towards the palace. They walked in silence for a few minutes before Obi-Wan turned to Zeria with the question that had been burning on his tongue since they'd arrived. "Excuse me, Ms. Qitt? Did- did the Duchess mention anything about meeting us? Once we'd arrived?"

"No, I don't believe she did," said Zeria looking over at Obi-Wan. "However, she's been quite busy as of late. If you'd like to make an appointment with her, I'd be happy to check her schedule!"

"No, no, that's quite alright," said Obi-Wan hastily. "I only wanted to thank her for her hospitatliy is all."

"Well if you're lucky, perhaps you'll run into her in the palace at some point," smiled Zeria.

"Yes, perhaps," said Obi-Wan looking up Satine's portrait, hanging gracefully in the center of the grand hallway. "If I'm lucky."

guys, thank you so so much for reading, reviewing and sticking with me through this mess. hugs to you all 3