Signs of Life

By JalendaviLady

Chapter 16

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Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars.

If you recognize any characters, locations, or things in the following story, George Lucas owns them.

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Kendalina really hadn't been all that sure what Anakin's reaction would be.

Certainly, she had majored and practiced for years in the field of psychology, but within her first few days around Anakin she'd learned no simple rule of psychology seemed to apply to him. He was a layered individual who never let anyone look past the top few layers, and that quite simply threw off any calculations she could make. Beyond that, most of her experience was with pathologies, not with mental recovery of those who didn't have diagnosable disorders. Too bad I've spent most of my career in asylums, or I might be a bit more help.

The room was dim enough to avoid being a problem for the patient but just bright enough to make observation easy.

"You need to go when he falls asleep again," Garlen told Anakin carefully. "Normally, you wouldn't even be allowed back here. Hopefully in the next few days we can move him somewhere where we can let him have visitors more often, but while his condition is stable we really need to keep an eye on him for a while."

"I understand. Thank you." Anakin seemed even more restrained than he had been the first few days he was aboard ship.

Kendalina pushed the wheelchair-bed fully into the room and closed her eyes for a moment as Anakin made an undefinable noise that was exclamation, whimper, and moan all at once. It took all her limited and barely trained Force-strength to block the wave of emotions that rolled off of him.

She left the wheelchair-bed beside the bed Luke's limp form occupied, close enough that the two Jedi could touch if they wished. "I'll be back when you need to leave, Anakin." She patted his shoulder awkwardly.

...

Oh, Luke!

Anakin struggled to keep from crying, knowing that the sight would be the last thing Luke needed to see when he woke. He'd known Luke was hurt – even without the Force-lightning, the fall he'd suffered during the fight should have broken bones. He hadn't been immobile in the shuttle, but he had clearly been in pain.

The younger Skywalker muttered something for a moment and tried to curl up. He was lying slightly on one side, propped up on a pillow. His breathing was even and his hand slightly moved towards Anakin in the mild twitching of injured slumber.

He's at least trying to wake up. Anakin gently covered Luke's hand with his own, trying not to disturb his son but needing to both give and get reassurance. Shh, Son,he Force-whispered. I'm right here. Don't worry; you're being well cared for, little one.

Pale blue eyes, so much like Anakin's own, slitted open. "Father?" Luke's voice wavered, nearly failing twice while saying the simple word that brought a lump to Anakin's throat.

"Shh. You're not well yet; neither of us are. Just stay still. There's nothing anybody needs you to do anytime soon, other than heal."

Nonetheless, Luke pulled his hand gently out from under Anakin's, positioned it, and tried to raise up, just a little. He was too weak to even slightly move himself.

Garlen's voice called out softly from the observation window, "Luke, you aren't anywhere near being able to do a push-up, so stop trying. Officially, Anakin isn't here. You aren't even supposed to have visitors yet. And, considering the security issues involved, this may just be the dumbest and riskiest thing I've ever let happen in this medcenter."

Luke's eyes met his father's, sudden but controlled fear visible in their depths. "'Security issues'?" he haltingly squeaked.

"Some people don't like what has happened to the world. Right now, no one who doesn't need to know has any clue which medcenter you and I are in, or even if we're in the same one. There's only been one attack so far that I know of..."

"It's mostly the followers of Fey-lya's faction that are speaking out," Garlen added, "although Security's still trying to figure out who hired that one attacker."

Luke's eyes met Anakin's, seeking an explanation. "Biggs got himself into a bit of trouble by speaking in my favor, it seems."

"'It seems'? Anakin, you did see the scorch mark on that wall, right?"

Luke's eyes widened.

"He's okay, Luke. A more appealing target was available for the gunman, who is now in custody."

"But... why would you have been there? Even if Biggs stood up for you..." Luke suddenly drooped, seemingly having reached the limits of his current energy reserves.

Anakin gently turned so that he could put an arm over Luke's shoulder and neck in a makeshift embrace. "I'm not even sure I know what's going on in his mind, but he actually asked to talk with me. Fairly bad day for him, with the gunman and everything else, but it wasn't because of talking with me."

"'And everything else'?" Luke quoted in a whisper.

"He got a holomessage from a place he doesn't get to call home anymore."

"Huff wouldn't."

"He did. I was there when Biggs viewed the message. Duria'd left when I came in, so I was the only one around to keep him calm the rest of the day."

"How bad'd he take it?"

"About as well as he could have, Luke. Emotionally, he'll make it, from what I can tell. He wasn't hurt in the incident and he knows he's got friends who'll look after him here, no matter what happens." He gently ruffled Luke's hair; the younger Jedi closed his eyes and sighed contentedly.

"How're you doing, Father?" he murmured, starting to fall asleep much too soon for Anakin's taste.

"Fairly well, now. I'm surviving mostly on my own now; I'll explain later. Just know I'm doing okay and worry about yourself, Luke."

Luke looked at him for a moment, tired eyes squinting in the dark. His vision's probably blurry; his eye muscles probably got a bit messed up as well.

"No mask?" he whispered, closing his eyes and starting to mental drift towards sleep again.

"No mask," Anakin quietly but happily confirmed. "Shh. We're both going to be fine Luke, but for now you just need to relax."

A few minutes later, Luke was asleep and Kendalina helped Anakin leave without disturbing him. Anakin was asleep before they reached his room.