Title: Strength over fear
Author: ewan's girl
Author's note: Ok my faithful readers who I love, this chapter may seem familiar to some of you that is because it is. "Reflections" is a short story that expands on this chapter, I took out the memories to make it fit into this story...hope it works. Be kind, rewind. . . I mean review!
Chapter 19:
Siri Tachi walked down the ramp of her transport, it had been a grueling month of space battles and the female Jedi was glad to be on a planet again. She stopped at the bottom of the ramp, placing her hands on her hips and watched the clone troops running around doing various tasks. She sensed a strange disturbance through the Force, and didn't know why. She slowly made her way out of the hanger, trying to locate the one person she was hoping to see.
"I heard it was a Jedi." One clone trooper was stating to another.
Siri slowed her pace to listen.
"A Jedi?" Another asked the first clone.
"That's what some of the guys are saying, that two Jedi were fighting each other in the mountain." The first clone explained. "They said that one of them is in the healers ward barely alive, and the other one hasn't been found."
"I heard General Kenobi was involved." A third clone stated. Siri suddenly had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.
The three clones stood in silence for a moment. "You ever serve under General Kenobi?" The first clone asked the other two.
Siri didn't wait around for the answer, she quickly headed for the medical ward.
Mace Windu awoke with a start. He looked around his surroundings, taking in the white walls of the hospital, the familiar sterile scent. . . his thoughts were interrupted by the commotion of four healers surrounding a gurney racing to another room, shouting orders at each other.
He rubbed his tired eyes and sighed. He had been in that waiting room for four hours and still no word on his fellow jedi's condition. He looked at the chair next to him and noticed that Jedi master Yoda meditated peacefully. He admired how his companion was able to keep his center even though so much chaos was happening around him.
He returned his thoughts to what had invaded his meditation, he had a vision of what seemed like ages ago, when Obi Wan Kenobi was a clumsy, uncertain preteen who's future was undecided. That same boy had grown into an outstanding Jedi Knight, who was one of the finest in the order. 'How could I be so blind not to see his potential?'
Kenobi had been in the intensive care unit for the past four hours, he was on the brink of death when Mace found him. The council member found the knight sprawled across the side of a mountain, badly bleeding and struggling for breath.
Obi Wan had gone to confront his apprentice Anakin Skywalker, who was on the verge of turning to the dark side. He thought he could save his padawan from a life of darkness. No one knew what exactly happened on the mountain, but there hadn't been any sign of Skywalker since.
Mace couldn't help but worry about Obi Wan's condition. He had become incredibly valuable to the Jedi order, but not only that he had become a good friend. He had been wrong about Obi Wan when the boy was twelve, and he always felt bad about not believing in him.
Suddenly he heard the sound of foot steps walking behind him, he turned around and faced a woman dressed in a form fitting two piece leather suit that showed off her curvaceous body a little too well, her blonde hair was cropped short and in the back stuck up in several wild spikes, with a few longer hairs adorn in beads that hung around her face. She was in her early thirties and was very beautiful, but looked very tired.
"Master Tachi?" Mace rose from his chair and she bowed in front of him. "I thought you were in battle." He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"The battle is over, and Obi Wan asked me to bring my squadren here to help with security for the summit. . .apparently I'm too late."She simply stated. She looked at the concern in Mace's eyes and she grew concerned as well. "Are the rumors true?" She asked.
"What rumors do you speak of master Tachi?" Yoda, finally out of his mediation asked.
Siri stared at the small master."Well, when we landed I sensed a disturbance through the Force." She stated, taking off her black gloves. "The moment I got off the ship I heard that there had been a horrible battle involving two Jedi, and that one was in the intensive care unit." She finished her story, and sat on the back of one of the chairs.
Yoda and Mace exchanged glances. "True the rumors are." Yoda answered.
"So the disturbance I felt was from him." Siri stated, not questioned. "How is he?"
"We haven't heard anything yet." Mace answered.
"I heard that they haven't found Skywalker yet." Siri crossed her legs as she sat, listening.
"No he hasn't been found yet." Mace replied. "Either he's one with the force, or he is deep in hiding."
"Know the truth we will not until wakes Kenobi does." Yoda interjected.
"If he wakes up." Mace stated under his breath, but both his companions heard him.
Siri pretended to scoff at Mace's comment. "He is the most stubborn man I know, he will survive." She tried to hide her concern. They sat in silence for a moment as Siri let the information sink in. "I've heard other strange rummors since I landed. . .What did I miss?"
Yoda and Mace exchanged glances and then began to explain what happened during the summit, up until Mace found Obi Wan on the side of the mountain, almost dead.
The Jedi were then interrupted by the presence of a healer in the room, they looked at her with anticipation in their eyes. "Master Jedi." She softly stated, in a voice that was meant to cushion horrific news. "We have General Kenobi stabilized."
"That's great news!" Mace stated, excitedly. He was even surprised at how ecstatic he was.
"But. . ." Siri motioned for the doctor continue.
The healer rubbed the back of her neck, she was clearly exhausted. "Among other problems he was bleeding internally. We fixed the problem, but the damage may have been too severe." She tried to give the group a reassuring smile. "We are expecting the shut down of several major organs as the night wears on."
Mace leaned on the back of one of the chairs, Yoda closed his eyes and Siri opened her big mouth.
"Well then you get back in there and you make sure that doesn't happen!" She stood up to make her point.
"Master Tachi!" Mace reprimanded. Siri turned to him and bowed her head in respect, and was silent. "Isn't there anything that can be done?" He asked after a moment.
The healer shook her head. "We've done all we can for him, it's up to General Kenobi now. . .and if it makes you feel any better the force."
The three jedi exchanged nervous glances, the force hadn't been too kind to them in the past few months.
"One of you can see him now." The healer stated after she saw the looks on their faces. "But don't expect him to feel your presence, besides being unconscious he's heavily medicated."
The council members turned to Siri. She tried to hide her concern behind a mask of coolness.
"Stay with Obi Wan you should." Yoda exclaimed, putting a hand on hers. "Need someone to stay with him we do, but too much have we to do." He finished and began to walk out the door, pulling Mace with him.
Siri gave them a curious look, but shrugged it off. She then headed for Obi Wan's room.
Siri came to a single room at the end of the hall, she stopped in front of the door and thought about when she was a young girl, she remembered how much Obi Wan annoyed her and how much she in turn annoyed him. They had once been rivals, but their relationship became so much more as they grew. She inhaled three times and tried to cast her anxiety into the force. She then opened the door and what she saw made her heart catch in her throat.
The room was dark, save for a dim light that illuminated the bed in the center of the room. She slowly walked up to the bed and noticed the lifeless form resting in the center of the bed. She noticed his features and shuddered at the extent of his injuries.
He had a large gash on his forehead, that was closed by several stitches. His jaw was very swollen and bruised. Her eyes traveled down his bare torso and noticed all the welts and burns that could've only been caused by a light saber. She also noticed several other older scars on his body. 'We've had such a hard life.' She thought to herself. "well that and you're a clutz." She stated outloud, trying to make light of the situation, she cleared her throat, shook her head and continued to look at her battered friend. She softly ran her hands on his chest, near a terrible, deep gash that was being healed by bacta. She then took his very pale hand in hers and gripped it tightly.
"Wow, this is pretty bad Kenobi." She looked around the room and sighed. "Why do you always insist on getting yourself in these situations?" She asked him as she ran a hand through his hair.
Siri pulled a chair up to the bed and tried to make herself comfortable. She removed the top piece of her suit and reveled a black tank top underneath. She also took off her belt and boots and situated herself for a long night.
She tried to meditate, to calm her nerves, but she found it difficult to calm herself when the only noise in the room was the irregular beeping of Obi Wan's heart monitor. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at her friend. "Why didn't you call for help? Why do you always have to be the hero?" She asked him, but received no answer.
She then looked at him again and looked at his pathetically pale features, frustration began to rise inside her. "Your so insufferable Obi Wan. You make me so mad sometimes." She began to pace the room. "Why do you constantly let things like this happen to you? Why do you prefer to almost kill yourself as to admit you are wrong and need help?" She looked at him again and sighed. "No one is holding Melida/Daan over your head anymore, so why do you continue to be like this? You have nothing to prove." Once again she heard no answer to her questions.
She walked up to his bed and sat down next to him. She looked at him and sighed. "You have friends you know. There are people in this galaxy who care for you." She once again took his hand. "It just took some of us longer than others to realize it" She softly stated, and kissed his hand. "You have to come back to us so that I can make it up to you." She felt her eyes begin to water and she quickly wipped them dry.
'No, this is not Jedi like behavior...worst of all this is not Siri like behavior.' She thought to herself, rising to her feet.
The door slowly opened and a man dressed in a white lab coat walked in. He came over and began to check on Obi Wan's condition. Siri could tell by the look on the man's face that nothing had changed, at least not for the better.
"How is he?" She lamely asked, then criticized herself for asking such a dumb question.
"To be honest master Jedi, I'm not very hopeful." The doctor answered, very unsympathetically. "If he makes it through the night we should be able to get him in the bacta tanks, he's just too unstable right now." He finished checking his patient and began to walk out the door.
He stopped and looked back. "So this is the great General Kenobi." He said with a smile, Siri slowly nodded. "I tell you he's almost a legend in these parts."
'A legend?' Siri couldn't hide the amused look on her face. 'If only Bruck could see old Oafy wan as a legend in one part of the galaxy.' She lowered her eyes to the floor when she remembered why Bruck wasn't there to see it.
"Are the stories about him true?" The doctor asked, very interested. "They say he could take on the separatists all by himself."
Siri smiled and looked back at her friend. "He would if he could." She softly stated and the doctor left the room.
She pulled the blanket up to his stomach, not wanting to cover up his wounds and sat down next to him again. "Legend huh?" She shook her head. "You'd enjoy rubbing that in." She smiled.
Siri was once again lost in thought then looked at him. "Do you remember when we pretended to be king and queen?" She chuckled. "Gods, you looked so silly trying to hold your head up and impress the head of the school." She looked up at his heart monitor and felt herself playing with the edge of the blanket between her fingers. "It was ridiculous, us pretending to be husband and wife. . . but in a way it almost felt natural." She said under her breath.
/ "If you ever get tired of being a Jedi, you'd make an amazing queen." Obi Wan told Siri as soon as the door had slid shut behind them./
Siri closed her eyes. 'That was the best compliment I have ever received.' She sadly thought to herself. She quickly rose off the bed and noticed the blanket had come off and exposed his left leg. She noticed a large scar and felt herself catch her breath. She gently ran her hand over it then quickly returned the blanket over his thigh. "I remember when you got that." She said to him, not caring if he answered anymore. She stood up and placed her hands on her hips. "We haven't talked about that day since it happened." She stated more to herself than anyone. "I guess we are both avoiding what it meant." She picked up his hand, and wrapped her fingers tightly between his. "You know when you stop and be yourself, you're actually surprisingly normal." She chuckled. "And surprisingly charming." She stared at him for a moment in silence, replaying the day they shared their first kiss in her mind.
Siri came to her senses and noticed how tired she was, it was very late and she hadn't slept in about two days. She then noticed that it also was very cold. She looked at Obi Wan and noticed his lips were turning blue, she felt his skin and it was deathly cold. She began to worry. She called for the nurse.
The woman entered the room, her hair falling out of her bun. "Is everything alright?" She asked.
"My friend is very cold, isn't there another blanket or something else that you can do?"
The nurse shook her head. "I'm very sorry, but our supplies cannot meet with how many are here right now, we have no extra blankets because of the summit." She said with an apologetic look.
Siri felt rage rise inside her, she knew this would never happen if they were at the temple. She then counted to ten and calmed down. She looked back at Obi Wan, and feared he wouldn't make it through the night. His breathing had become more labored, and his heart beat was still irregular. She looked at him and ran her fingers through his ginger locks.
"You can't give out on me now Kenobi." She said with a hint of pain in her voice. "If you leave who will I make fun of?" She tried to put on a smile.
He coughed and his whole body shook violently, he then let out a soft moan. She could feel tears threatening to spill. His body then began to shiver from the cold.
Siri didn't know what to do. "Force please." She begged. "You cannot do this to me." She tried to hold back the tears. "You are the only one in the whole Jedi order that doesn't annoy me, you are the only one who understands me." She felt herself lose the battle and the tears began to fall. "I...I love you." She softly stated, then the realization dawned on her. "I really do, I love you."
She watched him shiver more and more, she then climbed into his bed, and used her body heat and the force to warm him. "Kenobi you listen to me, if you survive this I'll....I'll bind myself to you." She said and wrapped the warm blanket of the force around them, using all her energy to heal him.
Eventually she passed out.
Siri could see light behind her eyelids, she felt that morning had come, reluctantly she opened her eyes. It took her a moment to remember where she was, but when she sensed the presence next to her she immediately remembered. She rolled over and stared at Obi Wan who was stirring, she smiled.
"Who's there?" He asked as well as he could despite his broken jaw.
Siri ran a hand through his hair and kissed his forehead. "Your mom." She joked in a loving tone.
Obi Wan chuckled and coughed; Siri then found herself staring into two blue/grey eyes that were filled with so many emotions. She began to get out of bed when he attempted to move his hand to hold her still. She then nuzzled up next to him.
"Welcome back." She said with a smile.
He attempted to smile back, but he found he couldn't move his jaw. He gave her a sad wink instead. He then lifted his left hand and ran it through her hair. She could see the pain and sorrow in his eyes, she knew he had lived through a horrible experience yet again, she grabbed his hand. "I'm sorry." She softly told him.
He closed his eyes for a moment in pain then looked at her again. He gestured her to lean closer to his mouth. She barely could make out his whisper. "Thank you." He said as best he could without the use of his jaw. "My queen."
She smiled, and kissed his cheek. "Rest now." She commanded. "I better tell master Yoda that you are awake. She got up and looked at him once more and smiled.
"What?" He asked as loud as he could.
"I still think you'd make a lousy king." She said with a chuckle.
Obi Wan rolled his eyes and went back to sleep. Siri watched him for a moment longer before exiting the room, she entered into the hall and almost tripped over someone sitting on the floor with his back against the wall. She looked down at the young man who apparently had been there most of the night.
"Ferus?" She softly tried to wake the sleeping apprentice. "What are you doing here?" She asked when he finally came to.
Ferus stood up as quickly as he could, trying to make himself presentable, he then gave Siri a curious look. "Master Tachi?" She stared at him, waiting for an answer. "I'm waiting to see Master Obi Wan." He simply answered. Siri continued to give him a strange look, making the padawan feel awkward. "He took me on as his apprentice, to finish my training." He softly stated, hoping he didn't hurt her feelings.
Siri stopped and softened her features. "He offered to finish your training?" She asked and he nodded. Siri thought about it for a moment and smiled, she then patted Ferus on the shoulder. "You finally got the master you deserve." Ferus was about to protest, but she stopped him. "He just woke up, you should go to him." She offered a smile, and continued down the hall.
Ferus watched her go and slowly entered into Obi Wan's room. Siri searched the Force to find Masters Yoda and Windu.
(Three days later)
Obi Wan stirred, he could feel his fever slowly returning, he had spent the better part of three days in a bacta tank healing majority of the wounds, but he had grown sick from too much bacta. He rolled onto his right side and realized that there was another presence in the room. He listened to the Force, thinking he was going mad because he was sensing a presence he thought he'd never sense again. He lifted his weary head off his pillow, turning onto his back, straining in the dark to see the source of the presence.
"Anakin?" He horsley asked, his throat extremely dry.
The figure moved closer to his bed, Obi Wan relaxed when he saw the familiar form of Padme. 'I must be going mad' He thought to himself as he closed his eyes due to the dizziness he was feeling, he then began to cough. Padme quickly moved to the side of his bed and grabbed a glass of water that was resting on the nightstand. She put an arm behind his head and supported him as he drank the refreshing liquid.
"The healers said that you still have quite a lot of ash in you lungs." She stated as she lowered him to the bed.
Obi Wan pushed his discomfort to the Force (atleast he tried to). "I'm alright." He whispered. Padme gently tried to fluff his pillows and make sure he was comfortable. He looked up at her and noticed she was wearing a simple black gown with a black lace veil covering her face, he suddenly found himself not able to look her in the eyes. "I'm sorry Padme." Was all he could say.
She looked at him; although he looked ten times better than when they first brought him in, he still looked horrible. "I suppose it's silly to mourn something you lost long ago." She softly stated. Obi Wan reached up and held her hand, she suddenly couldn't stop herself from crying.
Obi Wan felt as if his heart had been ripped out of his chest at the sight of this woman crying, mixed with his own grief he also felt incredible guilt. He carefully rose out of bed and enveloped the senator in a tight embrace. Padme cried into his chest, soaking his hospital tunic. "I can't believe he's actually gone." Padme sobbed.
Obi Wan ran calloused, bruised fingers through her soft hair, trying not to cry himself. "I swear I can still sense his presence." He stated, holding her. He then stopped for a moment and listened to the Force, he held her at arms length and stared at her. "Why do I sense his presence in you?"
Padme avoided his gaze and walked to the window, she ran a finger along the glass pane. "I'm going to bear Anakin's child." She softly stated.
Obi Wan stared at her, stunned. He turned her towards him, holding a very concerned look in his eyes. "Who else have you told?" He asked worriedly. "Who else knows that there is a Skywalker inside you?"
Padme felt her eyes begin to water again, she shook her head. "No one knows." She answered. "I am so afraid Obi Wan, I fear that whatever darkness consumed Anakin will come after my child."
"I swear to you on my life I will not allow that to happen." He promised.
Padme rushed into his arms, almost knocking him over. "Thank you Obi Wan."
Obi Wan held her for a moment before speaking. "Padme." She looked up at him. "There is something I need from you, actually from everyone." He walked away from her, she looked at him in confusion.
"Of course, anything." She answered.
"From now on I will be known as Ben Kenobi." He stated, sorrow emulating off his voice.
Padme cocked an eyebrow. "Ben Kenobi?" She asked. "May I ask why?"
Obi Wan looked at the senator and offered a sad smile. "Obi Wan was the name given to me when I came to the Temple. Some Jedi are given a new name when they enter the order." He paused for a moment. "Actually Master Yoda gave me my name, or so I've been told." Padme walked up to him and squeezed his shoulder. "Obi Wan is Twe'lik and it means savior." Obi Wan chuckled. "I never really felt I earned such a name, and now I really don't feel like I deserve such a name." He looked at Padme. "My birth name is Ben."
Padme gave him a sad look and complied. "Very well, Ben it is."
Obi Wan suddenly became very serious. "Now Milady we must get you away from the Republic." He explained. "You have to leave the Senate, leave your old life behind." Padme looked down at the ground and slowly nodded.
TBC: Ok, I know padawan, it's a mushy chapter, but I hope it was still ok.
Author: ewan's girl
Author's note: Ok my faithful readers who I love, this chapter may seem familiar to some of you that is because it is. "Reflections" is a short story that expands on this chapter, I took out the memories to make it fit into this story...hope it works. Be kind, rewind. . . I mean review!
Chapter 19:
Siri Tachi walked down the ramp of her transport, it had been a grueling month of space battles and the female Jedi was glad to be on a planet again. She stopped at the bottom of the ramp, placing her hands on her hips and watched the clone troops running around doing various tasks. She sensed a strange disturbance through the Force, and didn't know why. She slowly made her way out of the hanger, trying to locate the one person she was hoping to see.
"I heard it was a Jedi." One clone trooper was stating to another.
Siri slowed her pace to listen.
"A Jedi?" Another asked the first clone.
"That's what some of the guys are saying, that two Jedi were fighting each other in the mountain." The first clone explained. "They said that one of them is in the healers ward barely alive, and the other one hasn't been found."
"I heard General Kenobi was involved." A third clone stated. Siri suddenly had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.
The three clones stood in silence for a moment. "You ever serve under General Kenobi?" The first clone asked the other two.
Siri didn't wait around for the answer, she quickly headed for the medical ward.
Mace Windu awoke with a start. He looked around his surroundings, taking in the white walls of the hospital, the familiar sterile scent. . . his thoughts were interrupted by the commotion of four healers surrounding a gurney racing to another room, shouting orders at each other.
He rubbed his tired eyes and sighed. He had been in that waiting room for four hours and still no word on his fellow jedi's condition. He looked at the chair next to him and noticed that Jedi master Yoda meditated peacefully. He admired how his companion was able to keep his center even though so much chaos was happening around him.
He returned his thoughts to what had invaded his meditation, he had a vision of what seemed like ages ago, when Obi Wan Kenobi was a clumsy, uncertain preteen who's future was undecided. That same boy had grown into an outstanding Jedi Knight, who was one of the finest in the order. 'How could I be so blind not to see his potential?'
Kenobi had been in the intensive care unit for the past four hours, he was on the brink of death when Mace found him. The council member found the knight sprawled across the side of a mountain, badly bleeding and struggling for breath.
Obi Wan had gone to confront his apprentice Anakin Skywalker, who was on the verge of turning to the dark side. He thought he could save his padawan from a life of darkness. No one knew what exactly happened on the mountain, but there hadn't been any sign of Skywalker since.
Mace couldn't help but worry about Obi Wan's condition. He had become incredibly valuable to the Jedi order, but not only that he had become a good friend. He had been wrong about Obi Wan when the boy was twelve, and he always felt bad about not believing in him.
Suddenly he heard the sound of foot steps walking behind him, he turned around and faced a woman dressed in a form fitting two piece leather suit that showed off her curvaceous body a little too well, her blonde hair was cropped short and in the back stuck up in several wild spikes, with a few longer hairs adorn in beads that hung around her face. She was in her early thirties and was very beautiful, but looked very tired.
"Master Tachi?" Mace rose from his chair and she bowed in front of him. "I thought you were in battle." He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"The battle is over, and Obi Wan asked me to bring my squadren here to help with security for the summit. . .apparently I'm too late."She simply stated. She looked at the concern in Mace's eyes and she grew concerned as well. "Are the rumors true?" She asked.
"What rumors do you speak of master Tachi?" Yoda, finally out of his mediation asked.
Siri stared at the small master."Well, when we landed I sensed a disturbance through the Force." She stated, taking off her black gloves. "The moment I got off the ship I heard that there had been a horrible battle involving two Jedi, and that one was in the intensive care unit." She finished her story, and sat on the back of one of the chairs.
Yoda and Mace exchanged glances. "True the rumors are." Yoda answered.
"So the disturbance I felt was from him." Siri stated, not questioned. "How is he?"
"We haven't heard anything yet." Mace answered.
"I heard that they haven't found Skywalker yet." Siri crossed her legs as she sat, listening.
"No he hasn't been found yet." Mace replied. "Either he's one with the force, or he is deep in hiding."
"Know the truth we will not until wakes Kenobi does." Yoda interjected.
"If he wakes up." Mace stated under his breath, but both his companions heard him.
Siri pretended to scoff at Mace's comment. "He is the most stubborn man I know, he will survive." She tried to hide her concern. They sat in silence for a moment as Siri let the information sink in. "I've heard other strange rummors since I landed. . .What did I miss?"
Yoda and Mace exchanged glances and then began to explain what happened during the summit, up until Mace found Obi Wan on the side of the mountain, almost dead.
The Jedi were then interrupted by the presence of a healer in the room, they looked at her with anticipation in their eyes. "Master Jedi." She softly stated, in a voice that was meant to cushion horrific news. "We have General Kenobi stabilized."
"That's great news!" Mace stated, excitedly. He was even surprised at how ecstatic he was.
"But. . ." Siri motioned for the doctor continue.
The healer rubbed the back of her neck, she was clearly exhausted. "Among other problems he was bleeding internally. We fixed the problem, but the damage may have been too severe." She tried to give the group a reassuring smile. "We are expecting the shut down of several major organs as the night wears on."
Mace leaned on the back of one of the chairs, Yoda closed his eyes and Siri opened her big mouth.
"Well then you get back in there and you make sure that doesn't happen!" She stood up to make her point.
"Master Tachi!" Mace reprimanded. Siri turned to him and bowed her head in respect, and was silent. "Isn't there anything that can be done?" He asked after a moment.
The healer shook her head. "We've done all we can for him, it's up to General Kenobi now. . .and if it makes you feel any better the force."
The three jedi exchanged nervous glances, the force hadn't been too kind to them in the past few months.
"One of you can see him now." The healer stated after she saw the looks on their faces. "But don't expect him to feel your presence, besides being unconscious he's heavily medicated."
The council members turned to Siri. She tried to hide her concern behind a mask of coolness.
"Stay with Obi Wan you should." Yoda exclaimed, putting a hand on hers. "Need someone to stay with him we do, but too much have we to do." He finished and began to walk out the door, pulling Mace with him.
Siri gave them a curious look, but shrugged it off. She then headed for Obi Wan's room.
Siri came to a single room at the end of the hall, she stopped in front of the door and thought about when she was a young girl, she remembered how much Obi Wan annoyed her and how much she in turn annoyed him. They had once been rivals, but their relationship became so much more as they grew. She inhaled three times and tried to cast her anxiety into the force. She then opened the door and what she saw made her heart catch in her throat.
The room was dark, save for a dim light that illuminated the bed in the center of the room. She slowly walked up to the bed and noticed the lifeless form resting in the center of the bed. She noticed his features and shuddered at the extent of his injuries.
He had a large gash on his forehead, that was closed by several stitches. His jaw was very swollen and bruised. Her eyes traveled down his bare torso and noticed all the welts and burns that could've only been caused by a light saber. She also noticed several other older scars on his body. 'We've had such a hard life.' She thought to herself. "well that and you're a clutz." She stated outloud, trying to make light of the situation, she cleared her throat, shook her head and continued to look at her battered friend. She softly ran her hands on his chest, near a terrible, deep gash that was being healed by bacta. She then took his very pale hand in hers and gripped it tightly.
"Wow, this is pretty bad Kenobi." She looked around the room and sighed. "Why do you always insist on getting yourself in these situations?" She asked him as she ran a hand through his hair.
Siri pulled a chair up to the bed and tried to make herself comfortable. She removed the top piece of her suit and reveled a black tank top underneath. She also took off her belt and boots and situated herself for a long night.
She tried to meditate, to calm her nerves, but she found it difficult to calm herself when the only noise in the room was the irregular beeping of Obi Wan's heart monitor. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at her friend. "Why didn't you call for help? Why do you always have to be the hero?" She asked him, but received no answer.
She then looked at him again and looked at his pathetically pale features, frustration began to rise inside her. "Your so insufferable Obi Wan. You make me so mad sometimes." She began to pace the room. "Why do you constantly let things like this happen to you? Why do you prefer to almost kill yourself as to admit you are wrong and need help?" She looked at him again and sighed. "No one is holding Melida/Daan over your head anymore, so why do you continue to be like this? You have nothing to prove." Once again she heard no answer to her questions.
She walked up to his bed and sat down next to him. She looked at him and sighed. "You have friends you know. There are people in this galaxy who care for you." She once again took his hand. "It just took some of us longer than others to realize it" She softly stated, and kissed his hand. "You have to come back to us so that I can make it up to you." She felt her eyes begin to water and she quickly wipped them dry.
'No, this is not Jedi like behavior...worst of all this is not Siri like behavior.' She thought to herself, rising to her feet.
The door slowly opened and a man dressed in a white lab coat walked in. He came over and began to check on Obi Wan's condition. Siri could tell by the look on the man's face that nothing had changed, at least not for the better.
"How is he?" She lamely asked, then criticized herself for asking such a dumb question.
"To be honest master Jedi, I'm not very hopeful." The doctor answered, very unsympathetically. "If he makes it through the night we should be able to get him in the bacta tanks, he's just too unstable right now." He finished checking his patient and began to walk out the door.
He stopped and looked back. "So this is the great General Kenobi." He said with a smile, Siri slowly nodded. "I tell you he's almost a legend in these parts."
'A legend?' Siri couldn't hide the amused look on her face. 'If only Bruck could see old Oafy wan as a legend in one part of the galaxy.' She lowered her eyes to the floor when she remembered why Bruck wasn't there to see it.
"Are the stories about him true?" The doctor asked, very interested. "They say he could take on the separatists all by himself."
Siri smiled and looked back at her friend. "He would if he could." She softly stated and the doctor left the room.
She pulled the blanket up to his stomach, not wanting to cover up his wounds and sat down next to him again. "Legend huh?" She shook her head. "You'd enjoy rubbing that in." She smiled.
Siri was once again lost in thought then looked at him. "Do you remember when we pretended to be king and queen?" She chuckled. "Gods, you looked so silly trying to hold your head up and impress the head of the school." She looked up at his heart monitor and felt herself playing with the edge of the blanket between her fingers. "It was ridiculous, us pretending to be husband and wife. . . but in a way it almost felt natural." She said under her breath.
/ "If you ever get tired of being a Jedi, you'd make an amazing queen." Obi Wan told Siri as soon as the door had slid shut behind them./
Siri closed her eyes. 'That was the best compliment I have ever received.' She sadly thought to herself. She quickly rose off the bed and noticed the blanket had come off and exposed his left leg. She noticed a large scar and felt herself catch her breath. She gently ran her hand over it then quickly returned the blanket over his thigh. "I remember when you got that." She said to him, not caring if he answered anymore. She stood up and placed her hands on her hips. "We haven't talked about that day since it happened." She stated more to herself than anyone. "I guess we are both avoiding what it meant." She picked up his hand, and wrapped her fingers tightly between his. "You know when you stop and be yourself, you're actually surprisingly normal." She chuckled. "And surprisingly charming." She stared at him for a moment in silence, replaying the day they shared their first kiss in her mind.
Siri came to her senses and noticed how tired she was, it was very late and she hadn't slept in about two days. She then noticed that it also was very cold. She looked at Obi Wan and noticed his lips were turning blue, she felt his skin and it was deathly cold. She began to worry. She called for the nurse.
The woman entered the room, her hair falling out of her bun. "Is everything alright?" She asked.
"My friend is very cold, isn't there another blanket or something else that you can do?"
The nurse shook her head. "I'm very sorry, but our supplies cannot meet with how many are here right now, we have no extra blankets because of the summit." She said with an apologetic look.
Siri felt rage rise inside her, she knew this would never happen if they were at the temple. She then counted to ten and calmed down. She looked back at Obi Wan, and feared he wouldn't make it through the night. His breathing had become more labored, and his heart beat was still irregular. She looked at him and ran her fingers through his ginger locks.
"You can't give out on me now Kenobi." She said with a hint of pain in her voice. "If you leave who will I make fun of?" She tried to put on a smile.
He coughed and his whole body shook violently, he then let out a soft moan. She could feel tears threatening to spill. His body then began to shiver from the cold.
Siri didn't know what to do. "Force please." She begged. "You cannot do this to me." She tried to hold back the tears. "You are the only one in the whole Jedi order that doesn't annoy me, you are the only one who understands me." She felt herself lose the battle and the tears began to fall. "I...I love you." She softly stated, then the realization dawned on her. "I really do, I love you."
She watched him shiver more and more, she then climbed into his bed, and used her body heat and the force to warm him. "Kenobi you listen to me, if you survive this I'll....I'll bind myself to you." She said and wrapped the warm blanket of the force around them, using all her energy to heal him.
Eventually she passed out.
Siri could see light behind her eyelids, she felt that morning had come, reluctantly she opened her eyes. It took her a moment to remember where she was, but when she sensed the presence next to her she immediately remembered. She rolled over and stared at Obi Wan who was stirring, she smiled.
"Who's there?" He asked as well as he could despite his broken jaw.
Siri ran a hand through his hair and kissed his forehead. "Your mom." She joked in a loving tone.
Obi Wan chuckled and coughed; Siri then found herself staring into two blue/grey eyes that were filled with so many emotions. She began to get out of bed when he attempted to move his hand to hold her still. She then nuzzled up next to him.
"Welcome back." She said with a smile.
He attempted to smile back, but he found he couldn't move his jaw. He gave her a sad wink instead. He then lifted his left hand and ran it through her hair. She could see the pain and sorrow in his eyes, she knew he had lived through a horrible experience yet again, she grabbed his hand. "I'm sorry." She softly told him.
He closed his eyes for a moment in pain then looked at her again. He gestured her to lean closer to his mouth. She barely could make out his whisper. "Thank you." He said as best he could without the use of his jaw. "My queen."
She smiled, and kissed his cheek. "Rest now." She commanded. "I better tell master Yoda that you are awake. She got up and looked at him once more and smiled.
"What?" He asked as loud as he could.
"I still think you'd make a lousy king." She said with a chuckle.
Obi Wan rolled his eyes and went back to sleep. Siri watched him for a moment longer before exiting the room, she entered into the hall and almost tripped over someone sitting on the floor with his back against the wall. She looked down at the young man who apparently had been there most of the night.
"Ferus?" She softly tried to wake the sleeping apprentice. "What are you doing here?" She asked when he finally came to.
Ferus stood up as quickly as he could, trying to make himself presentable, he then gave Siri a curious look. "Master Tachi?" She stared at him, waiting for an answer. "I'm waiting to see Master Obi Wan." He simply answered. Siri continued to give him a strange look, making the padawan feel awkward. "He took me on as his apprentice, to finish my training." He softly stated, hoping he didn't hurt her feelings.
Siri stopped and softened her features. "He offered to finish your training?" She asked and he nodded. Siri thought about it for a moment and smiled, she then patted Ferus on the shoulder. "You finally got the master you deserve." Ferus was about to protest, but she stopped him. "He just woke up, you should go to him." She offered a smile, and continued down the hall.
Ferus watched her go and slowly entered into Obi Wan's room. Siri searched the Force to find Masters Yoda and Windu.
(Three days later)
Obi Wan stirred, he could feel his fever slowly returning, he had spent the better part of three days in a bacta tank healing majority of the wounds, but he had grown sick from too much bacta. He rolled onto his right side and realized that there was another presence in the room. He listened to the Force, thinking he was going mad because he was sensing a presence he thought he'd never sense again. He lifted his weary head off his pillow, turning onto his back, straining in the dark to see the source of the presence.
"Anakin?" He horsley asked, his throat extremely dry.
The figure moved closer to his bed, Obi Wan relaxed when he saw the familiar form of Padme. 'I must be going mad' He thought to himself as he closed his eyes due to the dizziness he was feeling, he then began to cough. Padme quickly moved to the side of his bed and grabbed a glass of water that was resting on the nightstand. She put an arm behind his head and supported him as he drank the refreshing liquid.
"The healers said that you still have quite a lot of ash in you lungs." She stated as she lowered him to the bed.
Obi Wan pushed his discomfort to the Force (atleast he tried to). "I'm alright." He whispered. Padme gently tried to fluff his pillows and make sure he was comfortable. He looked up at her and noticed she was wearing a simple black gown with a black lace veil covering her face, he suddenly found himself not able to look her in the eyes. "I'm sorry Padme." Was all he could say.
She looked at him; although he looked ten times better than when they first brought him in, he still looked horrible. "I suppose it's silly to mourn something you lost long ago." She softly stated. Obi Wan reached up and held her hand, she suddenly couldn't stop herself from crying.
Obi Wan felt as if his heart had been ripped out of his chest at the sight of this woman crying, mixed with his own grief he also felt incredible guilt. He carefully rose out of bed and enveloped the senator in a tight embrace. Padme cried into his chest, soaking his hospital tunic. "I can't believe he's actually gone." Padme sobbed.
Obi Wan ran calloused, bruised fingers through her soft hair, trying not to cry himself. "I swear I can still sense his presence." He stated, holding her. He then stopped for a moment and listened to the Force, he held her at arms length and stared at her. "Why do I sense his presence in you?"
Padme avoided his gaze and walked to the window, she ran a finger along the glass pane. "I'm going to bear Anakin's child." She softly stated.
Obi Wan stared at her, stunned. He turned her towards him, holding a very concerned look in his eyes. "Who else have you told?" He asked worriedly. "Who else knows that there is a Skywalker inside you?"
Padme felt her eyes begin to water again, she shook her head. "No one knows." She answered. "I am so afraid Obi Wan, I fear that whatever darkness consumed Anakin will come after my child."
"I swear to you on my life I will not allow that to happen." He promised.
Padme rushed into his arms, almost knocking him over. "Thank you Obi Wan."
Obi Wan held her for a moment before speaking. "Padme." She looked up at him. "There is something I need from you, actually from everyone." He walked away from her, she looked at him in confusion.
"Of course, anything." She answered.
"From now on I will be known as Ben Kenobi." He stated, sorrow emulating off his voice.
Padme cocked an eyebrow. "Ben Kenobi?" She asked. "May I ask why?"
Obi Wan looked at the senator and offered a sad smile. "Obi Wan was the name given to me when I came to the Temple. Some Jedi are given a new name when they enter the order." He paused for a moment. "Actually Master Yoda gave me my name, or so I've been told." Padme walked up to him and squeezed his shoulder. "Obi Wan is Twe'lik and it means savior." Obi Wan chuckled. "I never really felt I earned such a name, and now I really don't feel like I deserve such a name." He looked at Padme. "My birth name is Ben."
Padme gave him a sad look and complied. "Very well, Ben it is."
Obi Wan suddenly became very serious. "Now Milady we must get you away from the Republic." He explained. "You have to leave the Senate, leave your old life behind." Padme looked down at the ground and slowly nodded.
TBC: Ok, I know padawan, it's a mushy chapter, but I hope it was still ok.