I apologize for taking so long to update! I hope everyone had a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
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Laicee sat in the chair beside the cot. It had been several hours since she had been brought back in to tend Obi-Wan. Sidious had just been in to check on Obi-Wan's progress. He had seemed rather impatient for any sign that Obi-Wan was improving. Probably so he can pick up where he left off, she thought angrily.
Obi-Wan's body was showing some signs of improvement. His body temperature had risen a bit and his systems seemed to be running with a bit more strength. He was still unconscious and was still very weak. She looked down at the uneaten tray of food beside her. She had tried to get Padme to eat something, but she had steadfastly refused. Laicee didn't have much of an appetite, either.
Padme was trying to keep her growing despair at bay. She had held a small hope that the Emperor would release her from the wall before leaving again. He didn't. I should have known better! Her body was crying for sleep, but there was no way she could sleep like this. Besides, she didn't want to take the chance of missing Obi-Wan wake up. She was so glad that Obi-Wan was at least improving. She continued to watch him, yearning to be by his side.
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Sidious was pacing. He was battling with himself. He could use the Force to help heal Obi-Wan and be able to do another mind probe that much quicker. But he also wanted Padme to suffer. If he allowed Obi-Wan's healing to go at a slower pace, Padme would suffer that much longer. He knew that keeping her away from him would add to her suffering. He wanted that more than anything right now. He was willing to wait.
Sidious stopped mid-pace. If I'm willing to wait, then why am I pacing like an expectant father? Sidious sat down, wondering why he had used that particular analogy. Why was patience eluding him right now? He had been a master of patience. It had taken many, many years for his grand plan to come to fruition. Surely I can wait a day or two for Obi-Wan to recover! He leaned back in his chair and sighed. His head hurt.
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Laicee woke with a start. She had fallen asleep in the chair.
"Laicee!"
Laicee realized that it was Padme who had woken her up. "Hmm? What is it?"
"I think I saw Obi-Wan move! I think he's waking up!"
Laicee couldn't help but smile at the excitement in Padme's voice. Padme was right. Obi-Wan was starting to come around. It wasn't too long before she saw his eyes open. Obi-Wan's blue-gray eyes showed his confusion.
Laicee smiled at him. "We met briefly once before. My name is Laicee. I'm a healer." She picked up her scanner and moved it over him.
Obi-Wan smiled back at her. "I remember now." He still felt weak, but at least his voice was stronger than last time. He turned towards the wall to which Padme was still locked. "Hey, stranger." Obi-Wan smiled at the waves of relief and love flowing from her.
"Hey, yourself!" Padme was beaming. All the despair that had enveloped her just a little while before had disappeared. Hearing his voice again, seeing his smile and his beautiful eyes worked in ways no healer or drug ever could.
Obi-Wan's face grew concerned. "Have you been locked to that wall this whole time?"
A look of frustration flitted across Padme's face. "Yes. I wanted to be by your side so badly, which is exactly why Sidious put me here and left me!"
"Let me see what I can do about that." Obi-Wan laid back down and focused on the Force.
"No, don't! Don't tire yourself anymore!" Padme preferred to stay locked to the wall forever, rather than see him lose strength again.
Obi-Wan's eyes were closed in concentration. "Don't worry, Padme." He felt the Force gladly lending its strength to free Padme from her bonds. He felt the Force buzzing around him and through him. He saw the locking mechanisms clear as day. He pictured them unlocking.
Before Padme could really prepare herself, the binders unlocked and her legs gave out. Luckily, Laicee was on her way over and caught her mid-fall. Padme's legs were weak and shaky. She leaned heavily on Laicee as she was guided over to the chair by the cot.
Laicee helped Padme scoot the chair closer to the cot. Padme took Obi-Wan's hand and kissed it gently, careful of the IV needle.
Obi-Wan looked up at Laicee with a grin. "If I promise to drink lots of water, will you remove this IV?"
Laicee laughed. "I suppose I can do that." She set to work on ridding Obi-Wan of the IV. She was beginning to understand why Padme loved him so much. Looking at the two now, she had a feeling that they needed time alone to talk. "Since you are doing a lot better, I'm going to take this opportunity to catch a nap." She poured a tall glass of water and placed it by the cot. "I expect you to keep your promise!"
Obi-Wan grinned again. "Yes, ma'am." He watched as Laicee went to the far corner and lay down. He turned back to find Padme staring intensely at him. He felt her question before she could even speak it.
"Yes, Padme, I did hear what you told me while I was in the coma." He spoke quietly to keep their conversation private. He slowly moved himself to a sitting position, leaning against the wall. He then took her hand. "You have no idea how much your words meant to me. Your love is what brought me back."
Obi-Wan felt worry start to grab Padme. He ran his other hand down the side of her face and cupped her chin. "Even though the words are sometimes hard for me to say, please don't ever doubt that I love you. I love you more than I ever would have thought possible."
Padme felt intense relief flood through her. Tears again came into her eyes. She moved herself over to the cot and gently embraced him. She felt whole again in his arms. Padme wanted to stay there forever, but she soon felt his grip on her weaken. She knew he was getting tired. She pulled back to look into his eyes – those eyes that had been closed all too often the last few days. Those eyes were now radiating his love and his gratitude.
Obi-Wan was very grateful for Padme's love and devotion. He didn't even want to think of how much harder this situation would be without her presence. He drew much-needed strength from her.
Padme gave Obi-Wan a gentle kiss. "You need to lay back down. But first, you need to drink this glass of water." She handed him the glass and watched as he drained it. Then Padme helped him ease his way back down onto the cot. She climbed over Obi-Wan and lay down beside him. She propped up her head so she could look at him. Padme noticed his smile leave and his eyes cloud over. "What is it, Obi?"
Obi-Wan tried to think of how to word what he wanted to say. "I just want…to reassure you that the Emperor still knows nothing of Luke and Leia." He paused at Padme's sharp intake of breath, then quickly continued. "The Force sequestered all my thoughts and memories about Luke and Leia so he couldn't access them."
Padme didn't know what to say. I hadn't even considered that! She watched as Obi-Wan closed his eyes.
"Padme, I would never have been able to face you again if I had endangered your children!" He opened his eyes again -- anguish was in their depths.
Padme couldn't believe what she was hearing. She quickly sat up. "Obi-Wan Kenobi, how can you say such a thing?" Obi-Wan blinked in confusion. Padme continued, "If the Emperor had found out about Luke and Leia it would not have been your fault! That man ripped into your mind and sifted through your thoughts! I heard and saw your agony as you tried to fight him. I would never have blamed you! I wouldn't have to -- you do more than enough yourself." Padme shook her head in exasperation. "Obi, do you blame yourself when the weather's bad?"
Obi-Wan smiled sheepishly. "Only a little."
"You are unbelievable!"
Obi-Wan shrugged. "I guess I have an over-exaggerated view of what I can control."
"No, Obi, that's not it at all! You have a grossly UNDER-exaggerated view of YOURSELF. I wish you could see yourself as I do."
Obi-Wan looked up at her and asked softly, "How do you see me?"
Padme took his hand in hers. "As the most caring, giving, special, strong, light-filled person I've ever known!"
Obi-Wan smiled wistfully. "Thank you, Padme." I just wish I could believe it.
Padme leaned down and kissed Obi-Wan. "I can tell you don't believe those things about yourself." She lay down beside him and snuggled close. "I guess you'll just have to take my word for it!"
Obi-Wan smiled. He rested his head against hers and allowed sleep to take him again.