I really appreciate your kind remarks! Here's a shorter chapter for you!
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Obi-Wan dried off from his shower and looked at himself in the mirror. He was even amazed at the completeness of his healing. He then remembered how he had felt during the deep healing trance. He had felt the Force helping him - wanting to help him. He had felt…relief and happiness coming from the Force. It had been an amazing and wonderful experience. I certainly hope I'll get a repeat performance today! I'm going to need it!
Obi-Wan got dressed quickly. He walked out into the room and headed for the cot. Padme was sitting there waiting for him. Obi-Wan stopped in front of her. "You didn't have to wait to eat for me! Besides, I think I'd rather not have anything."
Padme looked at him with concern and determination in her eyes. "Obi, you need your strength! You need to eat!" She changed her tone and pleaded with her eyes. "If you won't do it for yourself, please do it for me!"
Obi-Wan looked at her for a moment and then broke into a smile. "Oh, alright!" He sighed as he sat down. "I certainly couldn't say 'no' to that face."
Padme couldn't help but laugh. "I'll have to remember that!"
Obi-Wan shook his head and grinned. "I'm sure you will." He picked up a piece of bread and started to eat. He actually was very hungry. He didn't really know what he was trying to prove by not eating. Maybe it was just a way to have control over SOMETHING. But Padme was right, he did need to keep up his strength.
Padme was greatly relieved to see Obi-Wan eating. She was worried sick about him. Her stomach was in knots, dreading what was in store for him. The knots in her stomach were killing her appetite. But she decided that she had better take her own advice and eat. She'd need to keep up her strength as well. She was trying to swallow a bite of fruit, but found the newly forming lump in her throat preventing it. She grabbed her cup of water and washed the piece of fruit down before she choked.
Padme then felt Obi-Wan take her hand. He smiled at her as he used the Force to calm her down. She had felt like bursting into tears, but now she felt him wiping her fears gently away. She breathed deeply, quickly regaining her composure. The way Obi-Wan was looking at her made her feel like he was gazing into her soul.
Obi-Wan spoke softly, his voice filled with love. "Your concerns are always for me, never for yourself."
Padme found tears welling up in her eyes. "I could say the very same thing to you." She wiped at her eyes and sniffed. "Obi, I…"
Darth Vader had walked over towards them and his voice interrupted. "If you are going to eat, then eat! I'm not going to stand around waiting for you to finish a leisurely breakfast!"
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. "This is hardly what I would call a leisurely breakfast." Obi-Wan casually started eating again. "I can tell you're eager to get started, but you'll just have to wait a few minutes more." Let's see if I can bait him again.
Vader wanted to grab his former master and throw him across the room! "I don't HAVE to do anything! You are not the one in control here!"
Obi-Wan gave Vader his best Jedi face and continued his casual tone. "No, I'm not. But you're not either. If I remember correctly, Sidious is in control. And I do believe he told you to let us eat."
Vader hit the boiling point. I need something to throw, and I need it now! He looked around and saw the cart by the table. He picked it up and threw it into the wall. He felt a little better at the release, but not much.
Obi-Wan watched Vader's escapade with a wry look. Well, I think I was successful. "Temper, temper," he said calmly.
Vader turned his head sharply as his former master spoke the exact words his current master had used just the day before. He balled up his fists, his body shaking with rage. "You have five minutes! Five minutes until I make you regret your words." He turned towards the Stormtroopers.
The troopers took a step back in fear. They'd heard stories of Vader killing some of those under his command as a way of relieving his anger.
Vader looked at the troopers, feeling their fear. He reveled in it. Killing one of them would sure feel good right now. But then Vader thought of his master. He didn't want to have to explain a dead trooper to Sidious. He knew that wouldn't help his cause in the least! Thinking of his master's disapproval helped to calm him down. He turned back towards the cot and watched, arms crossed.
Padme ate quickly, looking at Obi-Wan with a raised eyebrow. Why is Obi deliberately trying to anger Vader? The worry of what Vader was going to do to him started creeping back.
Obi-Wan could sense Padme's unspoken question. He answered her in her mind as he quickly ate. Don't worry, Padme. I've got something in mind. It may turn out to be one of the stupidest things I've ever done, but I've got to try.
Padme looked at him with wide eyes. Was that comment supposed to help alleviate her fears?
Obi-Wan smiled slightly. I'm sorry, Padme. I shouldn't have said anything. It's better that you not know what I'm going to try. Please, just trust me. Even as he was saying that to her, he was using the Force again to calm her down.
Vader then motioned for the troopers to come over. "Your time's up."
