Padme stared down at the still, pale form on the cot. She sat down on the edge near his head. She looked over his wounds, feeling numb. She silently watched the healer work feverishly on Obi-Wan's side.

After a few moments, the healer glanced up at Padme, then did a double-take. "Why aren't you blinking?"

Padme was shaken out of her reverie. "Oh, um, I can't. My eyelids were zapped with something to keep them from closing."

The healer sighed in disgust. "I don't think I even want to ask what's been going on in this room," she said quietly.

"Believe me, you don't. For your sake, don't get inquisitive." She looked down at Obi-Wan. "Please, don't worry about me, just focus on him."

"I can get your eyes working again in just a few seconds." The healer reached into her kit and pulled out a tool that looked just like what Vader had used on her. "I can reverse it." She moved the tool over one of Padme's eyelids. She felt its warmth as it was gently rubbed over her eyelid. The healer quickly did the same with the other eyelid. "There!"

Padme tested her now functioning eyelids. She smiled in gratitude as her eyes started to water. "Thank you!" She wiped at her eyes as she tried to gauge Obi-Wan's condition. "Is he…Is he going to…"

"He's stabilized, for now. I wish I could tell you for sure that he's going to live, but I can't." She saw the devastated look on Padme's face and patted her hand. "Don't worry, I'll do everything I can for him."

Sidious was watching them from a distance. He was pacing back and forth in front of the door. Why would Vader so blatantly defy me? Undoubtedly, Obi-Wan had said something to set Vader off. His mind was working furiously. But something didn't fit…What am I missing? His head popped up as a thought came to him. With Vader's temper being what it was, if Obi-Wan had said something to send Vader over the edge, then there probably wouldn't be much left of Obi-Wan.

Sidious walked over to the cot and studied Obi-Wan's side, ignoring the glare he received from Padme. Vader had obviously been making tracks on Obi-Wan's chest using the lightsaber. The hole in Obi-Wan's side was at the end of half a track. A realization hit him. Obi-Wan's wound is a wound born of shock and disbelief, not rage.

Sidious smiled as he moved back toward the door. His smile got bigger and he had to suppress a laugh. Why, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you did it again! He shook his head. Obi-Wan had managed another surprise! When will I learn that Kenobi misses nothing? Obviously, Obi-Wan had realized that Vader had been kept in the dark about Sidious' plans for him. He had used that knowledge against Vader. Vader was supposed to have been the one working on Obi-Wan, but it had been Obi-Wan who had worked on Vader!

Sidious spoke to the trooper who had run after the healer. "You're dismissed." He turned to the other one. "Stay here and watch them." Sidious then left the room to go find Vader.

Padme watched with relief as the Emperor left. She stroked Obi-Wan's cheek and ran her other hand through his hair. She looked up to find the healer staring at her.

The healer spoke quietly. "I know I shouldn't ask. But what is going on here? Why are they torturing this man?"

Padme sighed heavily, but kept her voice low. "He's a Jedi."

The healer gasped. "I thought all the Jedi were dead!"

Padme looked sad. "There aren't many left."

"What is his name?"

"Obi-Wan Kenobi."

The healer's eyes widened in recognition. "The great general from the Clone Wars?"

Padme looked at her in surprise. "You know him?"

"I know OF him. He was legendary here at home! Of course, I don't see how all those stories about him could possibly be true."

Padme couldn't help but smile. "I wouldn't doubt it if they were all true. He IS legendary! That's why the Emperor wants him so badly. He's determined to have Obi-Wan on HIS side."

"Despicable!" The healer shook her head. She placed a large bacta cloth on Obi-Wan's chest.

Padme was suddenly grabbed by an idea. She tried to continue to act natural. She kept her voice low. "Is there an inter-galactic communications station near here?"

The healer looked at Padme, knowing where this was leading. "Yes, at my med lab. It isn't far from here." She glanced over at the trooper. "I could tell him I need to get more supplies to take care of Obi-Wan, which isn't exactly a lie."

Padme tried to keep her face neutral. "Yes! Do you think you can send a message without attracting the attention of the Empire?"

"Yes. We're woefully under-supplied these days. We're constantly sending out messages asking around for suppliers of bacta and such."

"Okay, here's who you need to contact…" Padme and the healer continued to finalize their plans as they fussed over Obi-Wan. "By the way, what is your name?"

"Laicee."

Padme smile. "It's nice to meet you, Laicee. I'm Padme." Padme grew serious. "One thing you have to be very careful about is your thoughts. Try not to think about what we're planning. Try to focus your thoughts completely on your concern for Obi-Wan and his care. I can't emphasize enough the importance of this! If the Emperor gets even a hint of deception from you, he'll kill you." She waited for Laicee to acknowledge that before continuing. "I'm guessing the Emperor will be gone for a while. Hopefully, you can go and come back before he returns."

"Okay, Padme. I'm ready."

Padme put her hand on Laicee's. "Keep your thoughts on Obi-Wan, especially once you're back here." Then she raised her voice a bit. "Are you sure? It's that serious?"

Laicee raised her voice a bit as well. "I'm afraid it is. This just isn't cutting it."

Padme got up, put a desperate look on her face, and walked quickly over to the Stormtrooper. "The healer needs to get more supplies from her med lab."

"No. I was told to watch over both of you. She's not going anywhere."

Padme looked at the trooper, pleading in her eyes. "Obi-Wan is going to die, otherwise!"

The trooper looked to Laicee for confirmation. She nodded and said, "It's true. I wasn't expecting wounds of this magnitude. If I don't go and get the necessary supplies, he will die."

The trooper hesitated. Padme glared at him. "You know what the Emperor will do to you if you allow Obi-Wan to die. You saw what he did, and threatened to do, to his own apprentice!"

That seemed to make up the trooper's mind for him. "Alright, but hurry up! Do you remember the way out of here?" When Laicee nodded yes, he handed her a light. "You'll need this."

Padme watched Laicee leave at a run. She then went back over to the cot and sat down. She pushed thoughts of her plan aside and focused her thoughts on Obi-Wan.