Perfect

Chapter Nine

After we left Naboo, nothing, and I mean nothing went according to plan. We ended up being captured by Count Dooku and placed in shackles, secured to posts in the center of an arena. The only good thing was that my Master was also there.

As was typical for him, he was making humorous, slightly sarcastic comments to me, about how I had acted with my heart instead of my head and about how good a job I had done rescuing him.

Dooku's plan had apparently been to feed us to some local native species that made rancors look like domestic pets. The situation was beginning to look rather dire until it became apparent the Jedi Council had intercepted my Master's message. They showed up at the perfect time. Not only had they come to our rescue, but Master Yoda had brought the Republic army my Master had discovered. with him. Long story short, we ended up dueling Dooku on our own as we attempted to stop his escape.

The man was not only nefarious, but he was also very good with a lightsaber, and during the two-on-one battle, my Master was injured. Instead of allowing that to motivate me, it angered me, and I continued the fight on my own, my emotions roiling and affecting my ability to focus.

Before I realized what was about to happen, it was too late and I ended up falling against my Master's leg, with one less arm than I'd had previously.

I'd get to hear lectures about this particular battle for years to come. I had no doubt about that.

Lucky for us, Master Yoda arrived and forced Dooku to flee. He may have escaped, but at least we'd survived.

After I managed to rise to my feet, I helped Master Kenobi up as well. It was about that time, Padme caught up with us. She came rushing into the cavern where we were, only to come skidding to a halt.

I could see it on her face. She wanted to rush into my Master's arms, to comfort him and make certain he was going to be all right, but she struggled with the idea, and finally ended up checking on me first.

"I'll be fine," I assured her although the cauterization burn hurt like blazes. "Go to him," I insisted. "He needs you."

I sensed her hesitation as well as her doubt, though eventually, she managed to approach Obi-Wan.

"Are you all right? That burn looks pretty bad."

"I'm fine," I heard my Master grunt in reply. "Anakin?"

"I'd give you a hand," I announced glibly, "but I don't have any to spare."

"This isn't a joking matter," he replied somewhat angrily.

He was one to talk! I could recall several incidences in the past where Master Kenobi's wit was shared during the most inappropriate moments!

"We need to get you to a medic."

I agreed, although there was one question. "Should I take my arm with us?"

After surgery, I awoke with the strange sensation that my missing extremity had been reattached, only to discover a rather advanced prosthetic was in its place.

Wizard! I hoped it could do stuff.

Once I'd finished checking the thing out, I noted Padme standing nervously outside of my room. After I smiled at her, she stepped inside.

"How does it feel?" she asked kindly, although I could tell she was distracted. Her gaze kept darting to the hallway and I imagined she was watching for someone; most likely Obi-Wan.

"Weird," I replied, testing the movement of my new fingers.

"I'm so sorry this happened to you."

I tilted my head and shrugged my shoulders with acceptance. "At least I'm not One with the Force. It could've been worse."

She was silent and began gnawing on a fingernail, a habit I'd never noticed she had before. Perhaps I could offer her some relief. "He's already been released," I informed her.

At least she stopped eating herself. "Good, but he might be stopping by any second. I don't want to give him the wrong idea."

I thought about what she said for a moment and an idea popped into my head. "Maybe you should. Maybe a little romantic jealousy would knock some sense into the man's head."

Immediately a frown turned down her mouth. "I won't play games with someone's emotions like that. It's best if I just leave. Take care of yourself, Anakin. I'll comm you later."

Following a touch on my shoulder and a slight smile, she left, only to run smack dab into my Master on the way out. I knew her well enough to know she was mortified, although she was enough of a professional to disguise the emotion.

"He's awake," I heard her say. "How are you?"

"I'm doing just fine. Thank you for asking, Senator."

If I didn't know any better, I would believe these two were complete strangers! This was insane!

Padme left quickly and my Master didn't even watch her go. His smile was meant for me and I was forced to endure quips about how my laserball game would certainly improve now, or how I'd have to carry a medical card to get through security at transport stations.

Like I said earlier. Inappropriate. Though at times like these, I'd discovered that sometimes when he was kidding around, it meant he was worried. I needed to find out why.

I was about to ask when a therapy droid rolled in and began testing the nerve endings of my palm and fingertips. Once I had passed all its tests, the thing announced I would need to stay the night to ensure there was no infection. I hadn't planned on doing so, but my Master agreed and insisted, promising he'd entertain me.

Now would be as good a time as any to pick his brain.

"It was nice of Senator Amidala to stop by and check on me, wasn't it?"

"Yes," he answered without any suspicion. "She's a considerate human being."

"And pretty too. You have to admit that." Maybe I'd said too much too soon because that comment caused his brows to lower curiously.

"What are you hinting at, Padawan? Isn't she a little too old for you? And besides, she's a politician, and I've found they aren't to be trusted."

It was all I could to do to keep my eyes from rolling toward the ceiling. "Oh, please! She's a good person! She's kind and empathetic. All she wants to do is help others! She isn't anything like you think, and you should know that! You know her! Intimately, I might add." Frag! Me and my big mouth! Too late now. it was time for full disclosure .

My Master's brows stayed put with a skeptical lip curl added to it. He was so confused, it was almost comical, but then again it wasn't.

"What are you talking about? I think that's your pain medication talking. You need to relax and don't talk until your mind is clear."

"I'm not on any pain medication," I told him. "I didn't want any. I'm allergic."

There were things I often said as a joke that he took as truth. This particular little white lie was intentional and I'd said it for a good reason. It was time to get down to it.

I struggled to sit up more, hissing from exaggerated pain, mostly to gain his sympathy so he would listen to me.

"You know, they make other things you could take. I mean, if you're allergic to something in particular."

This wasn't going to be easy. I had to be respectful, but I also had to push him. My Master didn't appreciate it whenever I did that, but this was for his own good!

"I'm not allergic to anything. I was kidding, and before you lecture me about that, I did so because I need you to pay attention. I have something very important to say."

He wanted to correct me so badly. I could see it on his face and the way his lips were pursed, and yet he actually agreed to my request and pulled over a stool to sit on.

"Go ahead. I'm listening."