Here's part 7. Hope you like it!
A/N: Neither me or my friend are really big fans of Anakin, so I apologize to all the Anakin fans out there for some of the parts in this chapter! *grins*
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When I finally awoke later, I found myself in what seemed to be the very same room that I'd been in when this whole thing had started out. But then I realized that we were still on Naboo. I glanced up and saw Casey and Obi-Wan sitting at my bedside, staring at me in concern. I tried to sit up, but they were having none of it. I felt Obi-Wan's strong hands push me back down firmly but gently into the pillows behind me.
"Casey? Obi-Wan?" I asked, my voice somewhat raspy from lack of use, and I suddenly wondered how long I'd actually been out. Then I remembered the reason that we had come here in the first place and sat up again, much to Casey and Obi's chagrin. "Qui-Gon! Where is he?! Is he all right?!"
I looked around almost desperately, suddenly fearing that the worst had happened, despite everything I had done to try to help. Obi-Wan smiled and reached over, brushing a few stray pieces of my auburn hair away from my eyes, soothing me.
"He's all right, Layla. You saved his life and mine, both of you," he said quietly.
I nodded, calming down as a sigh of relief escaped my lips. "You helped," I whispered.
Before any of us could have the chance to say anything more, the door swished open quietly. A second later, a Healer dressed in white came in, followed closely by Qui-Gon, who leaned just ever so slightly on Amidala for support, one of her handmaidens, who I guessed to be Sabe, Jar Jar Binks, Captain Panaka, and Anakin Skywalker. I sensed Casey's intentions as far as Anakin was concerned, and I shot her a warning look.
//No, Cas. You can't kill him here. There's too many people around. Maybe later, ok?//I sent to her through our bond.
She pouted dejectedly for a moment, but complied. Instead, she contented herself with giving the 'little Sith brat' as we had deemed him, death glares that seemed to making the kid decidedly uncomfortable. I had the sudden sneaking suspicion that she was totally enjoying the fact that she was unnerving him. I shook my head slightly and rolled my eyes at her, giving her a *knock it off* look.
Then I lay utterly still as the Healer approached me and allowed him to check me over. I watched as Qui-Gon suddenly stepped away from Amidala and moved to my other side, really looking none the worse for the wear, despite eveything that had happened. He was slightly paler than usual and seemed to be favoring his left leg, but other than that, he seemed to be all right. The wound in his chest was healed, leaving only a scar now, and although he didn't really let on, I think it still hurt him.
He sat down in the chair next to the bed that Obi-Wan had just recently vacated, and rested his hand gently on my cheek. I leaned into the touch instinctively like a cat seeking affection. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Obi-Wan and Casey standing together, he with his arm wrapped around her waist almost protectively it seemed, and she with her head resting on his shoulder as they watched us.
"So you're the young lady who saved my life back there. What is your name, little one?" he said kindly.
"Layla. Layla Blair," I whispered shyly, my voice barely audible as I felt myself start to drown in those deep blue eyes once again. I gestured towards my companion. "And that's my friend, Casey Xavier."
He leaned forward, wincing in pain for a moment as he did so. "Thank you, little one. It's a pleasure to meet you both," he whispered.
Just then, Queen Amidala spoke up. "As soon as you're both up to it, there's to be a parade to celebrate our victory over the Trade Federation. It would be a great honor if you all attend," she said.
Qui-Gon nodded. "Of course, Your Highness. It would be our pleasure," he replied.
"Very well. We'll leave now so you can get some rest," she said, gesturing for the others to follow her out. I nearly laughed when I saw Anakin practically fly out of the room, apparently wanting nothing more right then than to just get as far away from Casey as was humanly possible.
Finally realizing that the Healer was still there, I glanced up at him curiously. He was tall, about the same height and build as Obi-Wan, actually, with short brown hair and kind emerald green eyes.
"Well, everything seems to be all right. It seems that you just depleted the majority of your strength when you were channelling your energy into Master Jinn here. You just need to rest for a while and you'll be just fine. I'll be back later to check on you. Just try and get some rest for right now, though, all right?" he said.
I nodded. "All right," I agreed, feeling myself start to drift off again. My efforts to save Qui-Gon had obviously taken more out of me than I'd thought, because I was strangely tired again all of a sudden as the adrenaline left me.
"Master, when is the Council supposed to arrive?" Obi-Wan asked as the Healer left the room.
That innocent comment was *more* than enough to make me forget about my fatigue. My eyes snapped open and I nearly shot out of the bed completely, but instead I merely settled for sitting up far too quickly.
Instantly, I found myself regretting that simple motion though.The room started spinning insanely and I became painfully dizzy-headed. Slowly I sank back down into my pillows and waited for the dizziness to go away, only vaguely aware of the pitiful little whimpering noise that I had made as I lay back down.
Casey and I both looked at each other then, both of us knowing exactly what the other seemed to be thinking.
//Oh holy crap on a stick. The Council?! That's it. Just shoot me now, please. We are going to be in *such* deep trouble// I sent to Casey, starting to really panic now, despite the Healer's oder that I stay totally calm and rest. Casey just gave me her famous annoyed look.
//Gee, you think?! I know we're screwed. I knew it from the very start. This was all your stupid, idiotic idea in the first place, not mine. I tried to tell you, but would you bloody listen to me?! Hell no. Not you. I might as well have been bloody talking to a bloody room full of frickin' stone statues for all the bloody good it did me. You just had to be so bloody stubborn// she sent back.
//Yeah, well, I didn't exactly here *you* insisting on staying behind, you know. Did I? No, so just do me a favor and shut up, just shut up. You don't have to bloody rub it in, okay?! Damn!// I shot back, more than a little irritated now.
Just then I realized that Qui-Gon had been speaking to me. I shook my head to clear it and turned back to face him. He and Obi-Wan were both staring at us rather strangely. For a moment I wondered if they had possibly heard any of our telepathic conversation.
"What? I'm sorry, I didn't hear what you said just now," I replied.
"Are you two all right?" he repeated, and I heard the concern in his voice.
I sighed. "Well, Casey, you migh as well go on ahead and just tell them everything," I remarked, glancing over at her then.
"Tell us what?" Obi-Wan asked, slightly suspicious.
A/N: Neither me or my friend are really big fans of Anakin, so I apologize to all the Anakin fans out there for some of the parts in this chapter! *grins*
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When I finally awoke later, I found myself in what seemed to be the very same room that I'd been in when this whole thing had started out. But then I realized that we were still on Naboo. I glanced up and saw Casey and Obi-Wan sitting at my bedside, staring at me in concern. I tried to sit up, but they were having none of it. I felt Obi-Wan's strong hands push me back down firmly but gently into the pillows behind me.
"Casey? Obi-Wan?" I asked, my voice somewhat raspy from lack of use, and I suddenly wondered how long I'd actually been out. Then I remembered the reason that we had come here in the first place and sat up again, much to Casey and Obi's chagrin. "Qui-Gon! Where is he?! Is he all right?!"
I looked around almost desperately, suddenly fearing that the worst had happened, despite everything I had done to try to help. Obi-Wan smiled and reached over, brushing a few stray pieces of my auburn hair away from my eyes, soothing me.
"He's all right, Layla. You saved his life and mine, both of you," he said quietly.
I nodded, calming down as a sigh of relief escaped my lips. "You helped," I whispered.
Before any of us could have the chance to say anything more, the door swished open quietly. A second later, a Healer dressed in white came in, followed closely by Qui-Gon, who leaned just ever so slightly on Amidala for support, one of her handmaidens, who I guessed to be Sabe, Jar Jar Binks, Captain Panaka, and Anakin Skywalker. I sensed Casey's intentions as far as Anakin was concerned, and I shot her a warning look.
//No, Cas. You can't kill him here. There's too many people around. Maybe later, ok?//I sent to her through our bond.
She pouted dejectedly for a moment, but complied. Instead, she contented herself with giving the 'little Sith brat' as we had deemed him, death glares that seemed to making the kid decidedly uncomfortable. I had the sudden sneaking suspicion that she was totally enjoying the fact that she was unnerving him. I shook my head slightly and rolled my eyes at her, giving her a *knock it off* look.
Then I lay utterly still as the Healer approached me and allowed him to check me over. I watched as Qui-Gon suddenly stepped away from Amidala and moved to my other side, really looking none the worse for the wear, despite eveything that had happened. He was slightly paler than usual and seemed to be favoring his left leg, but other than that, he seemed to be all right. The wound in his chest was healed, leaving only a scar now, and although he didn't really let on, I think it still hurt him.
He sat down in the chair next to the bed that Obi-Wan had just recently vacated, and rested his hand gently on my cheek. I leaned into the touch instinctively like a cat seeking affection. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Obi-Wan and Casey standing together, he with his arm wrapped around her waist almost protectively it seemed, and she with her head resting on his shoulder as they watched us.
"So you're the young lady who saved my life back there. What is your name, little one?" he said kindly.
"Layla. Layla Blair," I whispered shyly, my voice barely audible as I felt myself start to drown in those deep blue eyes once again. I gestured towards my companion. "And that's my friend, Casey Xavier."
He leaned forward, wincing in pain for a moment as he did so. "Thank you, little one. It's a pleasure to meet you both," he whispered.
Just then, Queen Amidala spoke up. "As soon as you're both up to it, there's to be a parade to celebrate our victory over the Trade Federation. It would be a great honor if you all attend," she said.
Qui-Gon nodded. "Of course, Your Highness. It would be our pleasure," he replied.
"Very well. We'll leave now so you can get some rest," she said, gesturing for the others to follow her out. I nearly laughed when I saw Anakin practically fly out of the room, apparently wanting nothing more right then than to just get as far away from Casey as was humanly possible.
Finally realizing that the Healer was still there, I glanced up at him curiously. He was tall, about the same height and build as Obi-Wan, actually, with short brown hair and kind emerald green eyes.
"Well, everything seems to be all right. It seems that you just depleted the majority of your strength when you were channelling your energy into Master Jinn here. You just need to rest for a while and you'll be just fine. I'll be back later to check on you. Just try and get some rest for right now, though, all right?" he said.
I nodded. "All right," I agreed, feeling myself start to drift off again. My efforts to save Qui-Gon had obviously taken more out of me than I'd thought, because I was strangely tired again all of a sudden as the adrenaline left me.
"Master, when is the Council supposed to arrive?" Obi-Wan asked as the Healer left the room.
That innocent comment was *more* than enough to make me forget about my fatigue. My eyes snapped open and I nearly shot out of the bed completely, but instead I merely settled for sitting up far too quickly.
Instantly, I found myself regretting that simple motion though.The room started spinning insanely and I became painfully dizzy-headed. Slowly I sank back down into my pillows and waited for the dizziness to go away, only vaguely aware of the pitiful little whimpering noise that I had made as I lay back down.
Casey and I both looked at each other then, both of us knowing exactly what the other seemed to be thinking.
//Oh holy crap on a stick. The Council?! That's it. Just shoot me now, please. We are going to be in *such* deep trouble// I sent to Casey, starting to really panic now, despite the Healer's oder that I stay totally calm and rest. Casey just gave me her famous annoyed look.
//Gee, you think?! I know we're screwed. I knew it from the very start. This was all your stupid, idiotic idea in the first place, not mine. I tried to tell you, but would you bloody listen to me?! Hell no. Not you. I might as well have been bloody talking to a bloody room full of frickin' stone statues for all the bloody good it did me. You just had to be so bloody stubborn// she sent back.
//Yeah, well, I didn't exactly here *you* insisting on staying behind, you know. Did I? No, so just do me a favor and shut up, just shut up. You don't have to bloody rub it in, okay?! Damn!// I shot back, more than a little irritated now.
Just then I realized that Qui-Gon had been speaking to me. I shook my head to clear it and turned back to face him. He and Obi-Wan were both staring at us rather strangely. For a moment I wondered if they had possibly heard any of our telepathic conversation.
"What? I'm sorry, I didn't hear what you said just now," I replied.
"Are you two all right?" he repeated, and I heard the concern in his voice.
I sighed. "Well, Casey, you migh as well go on ahead and just tell them everything," I remarked, glancing over at her then.
"Tell us what?" Obi-Wan asked, slightly suspicious.