I can't believe this is almost over! Just stick with me a bit longer!! Thanks!

K-Rock – LOL, I'm not. You just have to remember Obi fused some of her fingers together. All she wants is compensation. (Don't worry, I never permanently scar. ;) ) Anyway, I'll have to gather that info again and send it to you. Maybe it could be a collab piece if you're up to it? I've already got so much to do but I hate letting an Idea fall to the wayside. So maybe some help would be in order. Let me know what you think. ;) Anyway, enjoy this little diddy. ]:)

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Minutes stretched into hours, hours seemed like days. The tension gradually increased in the ominous silence. The trio was anxiously awaiting their arrival on the planet Balesco where they were certain they would find Jenna Zan Arbor, Ona Nobis and most importantly Obi-Wan Kenobi. Since the surge in the Force occurred hours earlier, they have been fearing the worst. Only seeing their friend and companion back in their hands would alleviate their worries.

Not that the others didn't care as much or were less important to the lost Knight, but there was one among them whose concern was far greater then the others. Afterall, it was her heart that rest in the hands of two wicked women. And she knew that they were doing everything in their power to make him suffer. No matter how much she tried, she couldn't shake the feeling that time was almost up. Meditation and calm became non-existent to her as she paced her room. Why aren't we there yet? Why isn't he safe? She wanted to scream out in frustration, but she knew how futile it would be.

Instead, she stopped pacing. For a moment she felt lightheaded. A hand came up to wipe the perspiration from her brow. As she did so, a thought quickly passed through her mind before pushing it aside for more urgent concerns. Is it warm in here? Not only was she overly worried about her dearest friend she couldn't even get comfortable anymore. Ever since she woke up, minor aches and pains have bothered her. She growled her annoyance and decided to see how much longer it would take to reach their destination.

Quickly, she made her way to the small bridge and slumped into the seat next to her charge. "ETA," she demanded.

"Two hours and twenty-seven minutes," came the immediate reply. There was an obvious edge in their voice that was a result of the strain. This whole situation had progressively gone from bad to worse. Now that they were finally nearing the end it was weighing heavily on their shoulders.

Defecating silence seized the room adding to the ever growing tension. It was only when it was about to snap that MysAri looked over at the Padawan. What she found startled her. Lost in her own thoughts and worries, she neglected the needs of those around her. Something even a novice Mind Healer should never forget. But sitting there in the palpable quiet, was a young man whose mentor was being slowly tortured to death. And Obi-Wan's well being was just as important to him as well as her. So she why did she find it so surprising to see the drying lines of tears on his face? She didn't know.

Feeling guilty about her own reclusive behaviour she sought for words to sooth them. Turning the seat to face him fully she said, "He's alive, Anakin." The boy didn't turn. In fact it seemed that he hadn't even heard her. Reiterating, she continued, "Obi-Wan is alive. We have to believe that."

"I know." It was spoken so softly that MysAri almost thought she imagined it.

"Don't lose faith. We will bring him home. He'll be alright." To her dismay it appeared her words had little effect on him. Actually, they seemed to have an adverse effect, she watched as a single tear trailed down the young face. She rose from her seat and knelt down next to him. Resting a hand on his knee, she gazed up compassionately at the boy, "Don't give up hope. We'll save him."

Bleary crystal eyes slowly turned to look into dark emerald gems. For all his bravado and boasts, Anakin was still just a boy. An innocent who was trying to find his place in the galaxy. And every time he started to feel like he found it, something happened to change his way of life. He missed his mother, he missed Qui-Gon and he missed his Master. Would he be able to take another loss after all he had been through? He wasn't sure. He tried to remain strong and optimistic but he lost the battle long ago.

There was a naked vulnerability in his forlorn appearance the struck at the Knight. Without thinking she reached out and pulled the boy to her. The storm finally broke as he cried in her arms. She couldn't believe how blind she had been to his needs. Disgusted with herself, MysAri held the boy tighter, knowing that she had already failed him. She could only pick up the pieces as best she could.

Sitting there in the vastness of space, she waited for the sobs to abate. When there were only periodic sniffles, he whispered, "I don't want to lose another father."

"Oh, Ani, you won't. I won't allow that to happen." He nodded reluctantly. Squeezing him again, she added, "Trust me, you will not be orphaned again." He sat there leaning against her but did not move. Her heart was aching, she could not comfort the Master but she could his progeny. Holding him firmly by the arms, she made him face her. "You do trust me, don't you Anakin?"

Not looking directly at her he answered, "yes."

"Then don't give up on him. He will survive, you'll see." Another tear escaped, tracing his smooth features. "What?" She asked suddenly worried. There was something in his posture that begged to be brought to light. "What's wrong?"

It took him another minute to find the courage to confess his real worry, but Anakin finally managed to get it out. "But will he be the same?"

"He'll need some time but he should come through this like he always does."

He felt so silly, being nearly sixteen years old he shouldn't be acting like such a child. Tears still streamed from his eyes, but for some reason he knew she would understand him if he was just able to get it out. At last he muttered, "I don't want to lose him."

Quickly, she did her best to stifle his fears, "I told you, we'll bring him home alive…."

"That's not what I meant." Her head tilted slightly in confusion. "It's just, well, it seems that whenever something like this happens, I lose a little more of him everytime. Since he first took me on, as each dangerous mission passes he recedes further into himself. He becomes a little more reserved, less enjoying life. It's like the fate of the galaxy rests squarely on his shoulders and he's dying under the strain little by little. I just don't want to be alone. I can't handle that."

MysAri sat there, mouth slightly agape, in utter shock. Not only was his despondency heartwrenching but his words nailed something that many people have speculated on for years. Even as Padawans, some noticed a very gradual almost imperceptible change in Obi-Wan as the challenges and years grew. That he gave so much of himself to those around him that the tiny pieces would eventual leave nothing left to give. Considering his revelation seriously, it took another moment for MysAri to think of something to stay his fears. "Anakin, I know it's been very hard for you. I know that things have not always been the best for you. And at times for him as well. I also wish that I could honestly tell you that your concern is unfounded, but I don't want to lie to you. The only thing I can tell you is that we will have to do our best to not allow him to slip further away from us. We cannot let him face whatever burdens he carries alone. Do you understand me? We have to remind him he has friends he can lean on."

"Friends?" he echoed. An idea begins to formulate which he quickly announces, "Yes, he needs his friends, but what he really needs is you."

The woman looked as if she had just been slapped awake. "Me? Anakin, no…"

"Yes. He loves you. I know he does. You could live with us, that way he has someone to always draw him out. I know how he acts when he's around you. He feels alive. Please, please stay with us. I know we haven't always hit it off, but I'll try to do better. But you have to be there for him. He loves you." Anakin began with incessant pleas that transformed into desperate begging.

The look in his eyes frightened MysAri. As he pleaded with her, she jumped to her feet and walked to the other end of the small bridge. The idea tore at her, demanding her to give in and take up a place she knew was wrong. Muttering as she folds her arms around herself, "I can't."

"But why? He loves you." Rising to his feet, he came up beside her.

"I know," she said quietly, doing everything in her power to avoid his gaze, "I know he does, but I just can't do it. I won't dishonour him in that way."

"What are you talking about? I thought you loved him."

"I do with all my heart. I would give everything up for him if I had to." She stopped her emotions a raging storm that threatened to overtake her. "But I cannot accept his love. His heart doesn't belong to me. It belongs to the galaxy. For all those suffering. It was what he was raised for, meant to do. I refuse to take hold of it selfishly."

Getting more than annoyed, he demanded, "How can you turn your back on him?"

"I'm not. I understand who he is. And I will not be the one to take away his destiny. My fate lies on a different path than his." Pausing again, MysAri recalled bits of conversations and memories. The age of Jedi drew short. Darkness lay just beyond the horizon waiting to pounce on a hapless galaxy. And there was precious little that gave them hope of survival. One such vehicle that inspired hope was a man wallowing in pain and misery. But he was destined to survive, endure the weight of such onus. No, she knew what must happen. "He is a pillar in the Order. If I were to ignore that and take up a place at his side, I will distract him. And if that pillar is not willing to shoulder the burden, as you say, then the entire structure will fall. No, I will not, can not do that to him. There's more at stake than our feelings."

"Then I will lose him." His voice seemed small, almost defeated.

"You don't have to." With gaining conviction, she turned bright emerald eyes to him, expressing that is was not time to give up. "I didn't say I would forget all about him once he's returned to us. But I just can't be what you've asked me to be. I won't play the wife….. or the mother. I can only be a friend."

"I already have a mother," he growled.

"I didn't mean it like that. Obi-Wan is still a new Master, once you've grown and become a Knight, he has the opportunity to take on another. Master Qui-Gon had trained three Padawans by the time he passed away. It would only be natural for him to take on more once you've been Knighted."

Anakin pierced her with his sharp cerulean gaze. He didn't appreciate her implications, he merely wanted her to see how much his Master cared about her. And entertain the possibility that Jedi could be more than sacrificial lambs, he wanted to see them release their emotions. Scrutinizing her, he watched as she subconsciously rubbed her arms. She looked like she was cold, but the ship had been kept at optimum temperature. Upon further examination, he noticed a light sheen of sweat on her flushed face. In an instant their previous argument was abandoned, "Master, are you alright?"

"Fine," she quickly deflected. She had been feeling hot and cold in alternating patterns. Unconsciously, she began trying to warm herself but later kept it up when she felt the trembling begin. She was hoping to hide it from him as well as herself.

But Anakin was not convinced. Quickly he moved to the console and opened a comm channel to the tiny ward, "Bant, come to the bridge."

MysAri moved too late to stop him, "No." She couldn't give in to her infirmities she had to save Obi-Wan.

"You're not well." Anakin stated bluntly.

"But I need to help Obi." Protesting feebly. The door opened at that moment to admit a confused Calamarian. But as she looked at them both briefly, her keen Healer's eye noticed MysAri's trembling form. The younger woman began to downplay her situation, "I'm fine. It's probably an after effect from the surge."

"Don't give me that, I'm not a first year Padawan. Even if it's just an aftereffect, I still want to make sure it's nothing more serious." Ushering the Knight back to the medbay the Healer grew increasingly worried. As soon as they entered, Bant retrieved some items and began running the tests. Within minutes she was able to confirm her suspicions, since she knew what to look for. "Damn," she muttered under her breath.

Looking at her, MysAri wondered, "What is it, Bant?"

"You're body's rejecting the treatment. At least the most recent one any way." Frustrated, she tossed the datapad she was holding on to a counter. "Damn, I knew this was too rushed. I should have kept to my instincts."

"Don't blame this on yourself, I gave you no choice." MysAri would not let her take the fall for something she contributed to as well. With a bit more force, she insisted, "This isn't your fault."

Shaking her head, the Calamarian would not listen. "I am a Healer, it was ultimately my decision. I could easily have sedated you until the proper treatment was administered. I must accept full responsibility."

"Nerf fodder." Hopping off the medcouch, MysAri advanced. "We're all to blame in this. Especially Arbor, Nobis and Harenti. Don't question your abilities. If you were able to cure all diseases and heal all wounds, you would have to be a God. Last time I checked, we were mortal. Unless, there's something you're not telling me?"

The Healer glared at her companion and snapped, "No, but that doesn't mean I'll sit back and not try everything in my power."

MysAri could see that arguing would get them no where, so she switched techniques. Softening her voice, she touched her caretaker's arm, "Bant, it is your everlasting compassion that has lead you to your position. It always hurts when you know there is nothing else you can do. I feel that way too at times. I don't like burdening others with my problems. To ask for help is a big step. I'm glad I did, you've become a very good friend to me. You've done above and beyond to try and help, and I couldn't ask for more. So, stop beating yourself up over me. I fear that I will become the least of your worries in a few hours."

Slowly, Bant nodded before turning her silver eyes up to stare at the ailing Knight. They stared at each other, continuing their conversation without words. Soon, the healer once again began the task to correct the other woman's condition.

*

The beating continued for what seemed like ages. Nobis would pound away until blackness consumed her prey, revive him and then start again. The cycle was tireless, and pain became a constant factor in his life. When she brought him back to tormented reality once more, she didn't outright attack him. Instead, she knelt down so that she could whisper to him, "As enjoyable as this is, we need you for a final experiment." Her breath came in shallow gasps from her exertion, but hers was also of pleasure. As she stared down at the pulp of a creature, the feral grin returned. "I hope you survive, so I can finish you myself."

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The end! The end is nigh! Review, review! Well, it was worth a shot, right? ;)

Danke schön! Auf Wiedersehen!

~Ari :D