Obi-Wan slowly became aware that he was not, in fact, dead, as he had thought. No, to the contrary, he was very much alive, a point proven by his blazing headache. He slowly opened his eyes. It was mercifully dark.

Am I still at the bar? he asked himself.

"So you're awake," a strange voice that he hadn't been expecting at all said.

Obi-Wan started, causing his head to ache more. He began cursing, which only made it worse.

"No, don't move, don't talk, don't do anything," the voice admonished. "Let me handle your headache." Obi-Wan resisted and the voice continued. "Relax, boy, I'm a Jedi healer."

Obi-Wan relaxed and within seconds his headache was gone, which was nice and proved the other person had been telling the truth. Obi-Wan sat up and looked at the striking woman sitting on the bed near him. "I must admit you have a remarkable high tolerance for alcohol. I don't think any other Jedi could have drunk the amount you did and survive. By the way, I'm Lessa Solarem."

Obi-Wan took the offered hand. "I'm Obi-Wan Kenobi. Are the Masters angry?" he asked anxiously.

"No," she laughed. "They for some odd reason or other, feel sympathy for your situation. This doesn't happen often, as I'm sure you know, so do you want to tell me why?"

Obi-Wan stared. It was absurd, yet, for some odd reason, he found himself wanting to tell her the whole truth. It would be easier to bear wouldn't it. . .the pain. . .and the guilt. . . Before he knew it, he was spilling everything, from Master Qui-Gon accepting the ambassadorial mission to his funeral.

Lessa listened until he talked himself to silence. He had the vulnerable look of someone who had just told the whole thing for the very first time. She'd seen it before, and it was not unusual, especially in a case like this. She knew how recently this had been: stories had been flying around the Temple for days, ever since the Council had left for Naboo. Rumors had only gotten more fanciful and common when the Council returned. She didn't know anything about losing a Master first-hand, but she had seen people who had. She knew it was painful.

"Obi-Wan," she said softly, "I'm a Jedi healer. You know that. I can make your pain go away. I can't do anything though, unless you want me to, unless you're ready. Don't lie. I need honesty. It won't work if you're not ready. Are you?"

Obi-Wan was silent for a moment. "This pain was the entire reason I was in that bar," he said slowly. "I want you to get rid of it. I really do. It's just. . ."

"You aren't sure if you're ready," Lessa supplemented gently.

Obi-Wan nodded and added, "I'm not sure if I'll ever be ready. I miss him."

"That's understandable," she said, "but of course you'll be ready. Sometime, even if it kills me. If, of course, you want another friend."

Obi-Wan nodded vigorously. "I really need someone who knows everything. I haven't told anyone else yet," he said sheepishly.

"I sort of figured that out," she said. "But drinking yourself into a stupor won't help you, and by the by, don't you have a Padawan?"

Obi-Wan's eyes widened as he remembered. "I've been a sadly neglectful Master," he told her as he scrambled out of bed and out of the room. Lessa followed.

"Anakin!" he called. "Anakin Skywalker, where in blazes are you?"

"Right here, Master, sir!" came the reply from a small, sandy-haired boy. The child threw himself at Obi-Wan in a huge hug. Obi-Wan seemed slightly startled, but knelt and returned the joyous embrace. "Are you okay?" the young one continued. "I've heard some bad stuff!"

Obi-Wan winced. "I'm fine."

Then Anakin noticed the woman watching all this with a slight smile on her face. "Who's that, Master?" asked the curious boy, now that it was affirmed that his Master was okay.

"I'm the Knight that's going to keep your Master out of trouble. Name's Lessa Solarem."

Anakin bowed to her. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Master Solarem. I'm Anakin Skywalker." Obi-Wan beamed proudly. The boy had exceptionally good manners for a former slave.

Lessa laughed. "I don't hold with all that formality, kiddo. I'm just Lessa, if you please." Anakin nodded.

Obi-Wan turned to young Skywalker. "Let's get started, okay? You came late and have a lot to learn." Lessa noted that he controlled his foul tongue in the boy's presence.

Jumping into the air and shouting, "Yippee!" Anakin ran off. Obi-Wan laughed and followed his young Padawan.