Chapter 11

The camp was quite as everyone slept. There were a few guards that were posted around the site. Everyone was going to need his or her strength the next day. Queen Amidala thought best they wait until morning to attack.

Several guards had snuck into the palace to look over the situation. Several of the leaders, both Nabooians and Gungans went over the plan of attack. A group of Naboo and Gungan soldiers had gone back to the ship to retrieve supplies. But when they got there, a squad of droids had surround the ship and was searching the surrounding area for the queen. Viceroy Nute Gunray now knows the queen was back on Naboo.

Anya and Obi-Wan made sure they were close to the queen to protect her incase anything attacks. As they were preparing to sleep, Obi-Wan wanted nothing more to snuggle close to Anya. But they were on a mission. The air turned a little chilly as the sun sat. Anakin, who wasn't use to the chill, was freezing. Using part of her robe, Anya wrapped Anakin up with it. Subconiously, the boy snuggled up close to her. At first, Obi-Wan wasn't sure if she knew. But she did.

//He's not use to the chill.// Anya sent to him.

//No, he's not. Lucky him.//

//?//

//He gets to snuggle close and I can't.//

//Jealous?//

//No. He's just a boy.//

Sleep kept eluding Obi-Wan. Tossing and turning, endless shifting, and different positions, sleep will not come. Laying on his side, he watched Anya sleep. The soft light of the moon lighted her features. A tightness wrapped itself around his heart. At times, he would step back and take a look at her and each time, he relearns why he loves her so deeply.

In that tightness, there was something else. Longing, desire, lust. Feelings he never had. Feelings towards Anya! When did these feelings begin? Closing his eyes, Obi-Wan let himself go into the Force. He searched his memories. The new feelings felt as if it was pulling him to Anya. As if he can't be away from her. He had the need just to touch her.

There! The feeling begun the night before they were given the mission. When their souls joined for a brief moment. The feeling got stronger on the second day of their journey back to Coruscant. What was going on? What does this new feeling mean? Is Anya feeling this also? Obi-Wan wondered.

He reached out and gently brushed some hair away. That small touch eased some of the cravings. But the cravings worsened when he pulled his hand away. He wanted to be near, to touch her. What was happening to him?

His eyes wonder down to the blond head sticking out of the robe. Anakin shifted and turned to face him. So peaceful. So young. How can this boy become the most feared person in the galaxy? Images flashed before his eyes. Images belonging to his future. Events that haven't happened yet. A boy who will change everything for Obi-Wan. If Qui-Gon tries to take him as his padawan.

Both Anya and Luke can't believe this boy is their father and grandfather. The boy who later becomes the Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader. At the beginning of the mission, Anya was nervous about meeting her grandmother, Queen Amidala. She knew if history repeated itself, she might also meet her grandfather, Anakin. And she has.

Obi-Wan watched the two sleep. He wished every day was like this. No worries. But they were Jedi. Life as a Jedi was never simple.

Still watching them, an image flashed before him. It was the duel with Maul. Obi-Wan was trapped behind the last wall. Anya was battling the Sith. It was the dream he had before, two years go. But it was Anya, not Qui-Gon, who was fighting Darth Maul.

The disturbance he felt since arriving in the Naboo system, nearly a week ago, exploded to full awareness. Obi-Wan now knew what the dream was trying to tell. It wasn't a dream. It was a vision! Anya was going to die tomorrow. Just like Qui-Gon.

He must warn her. Anya must know she'll die by the hands of the Sith. Anya must know and she must stay alive. He wasn't going to get separated from her and have her die. Obi-Wan promised himself again he won't let her die.

Reaching out with his mind, he brushed her mind gently. He didn't want to wake Anakin up or anyone else. There was no answer to his brush. He tried again. This time, there was a small moan. Not out loud, but through their special link.

//Anya, please wake up.//

//Obi, it's the middle of the night.// Anya sent over without opening her eyes.

//There's something you have to know.//

//Can it wait?//

//No, it can't.//

//Obi, what ever it is, it can wait.//

//Anya, listen to me, please.// Obi-Wan started to beg.

//Go back to sleep.// That was the only replay.

He felt her drift back to sleep. There was no way to reason with her. He was worried. Obi-Wan had seen possible futures. And every one came true. He wanted to wake her up and ask her. Damn, the kid. At that point, he didn't care if he woke the boy up. But he couldn't. He wasn't being selfish. Anya was right. It was the middle of the night. Everyone needed their rest. The battle for the planet would begin just after sun up.

Obi-Wan rolled back onto his back and clasped his hands behind his head. He tried to close his eyes, but they just kept popping open. Staring up at the starry night, he tried to find the star that would be Coruscant. What will Qui-Gon be doing right now? He thought. Probably pausing with worries and filled with questions that would need answers. His master didn't seem too happy when they left Coruscant the second time.

Sighing with frustration, the young man stood and walked to the edge of the trees. A Naboo solider spotted the Jedi and stepped over to him. Obi-Wan assured the solider that everything was fine. And he couldn't sleep.

He walked over to the head statue and climbed up to the top. Obi-Wan stared up at the full moon. So much has happened in the past week. Hell, the past two months have been hectic.

Why can't she listen? This is her life we're talking about! Does she know the dream is a vision? History is going to repeat itself. But Anya will die instead of Qui-Gon. Anya, don't do this to me. To us. I love you. I love you more then anything. Then life itself!

An anguish cry escaped his lips. Obi-Wan ran his hands through his spiky hair, frustrated. He was going to lose Anya if he didn't do something.

The bad feeling he had when they boarded the Trade Federation battleship, was stronger. Almost like an alarm is going off. Something indeed was going on. And it was soaking in the Dark Side.

"Keep your concentration here and now, where it belongs." He can hear Qui-Gon's voice as clearly as if his master was sitting beside him.

Well, master, maybe this time you're wrong.

Obi-Wan remembered a similar conversation. The master/padawan team was sent to find the assassin who killed a senator on Romos 8. It was best if they went undercover. They pretended to be father and son who were searching for someone. When they arrived, Obi-Wan had the same feeling.

"I have a bad feeling about his." Obi-Wan said as he and his master walked around the market place in the capital city.

"I don't sense anything." replied Qui-Gon.

Romos 8 was dangerous because of its native animal. The zurgbor can be used for anything. But mostly they are used as guards. When trained, if zurgbor are provoked into anger, they can be deadly. Wild zurgbors would go into the towns and look for food. Some, mostly slavers and pirates, use these creatures.

"It's not about the search, father. It's. . . elsewhere. . . elusive." the padawan said looking around at the different booths.

"Don't center on your anxiety, son. Keep your concentration here and now where it belongs." the master stated as the tall Jedi stepped over to look at some fruit.

"But Yoda said I should be mindful of the future. . ." Obi-Wan said stepping up beside him.

"Not at the expense of the moment. Be mindful of the living Force, Obi-Wan."

"Yes, father."

It turns out that Obi-Wan was right. While searching for the assassin, they stumbled across a plot by a pirate named Sev Writon, who was planning on attacking a small village in the mountains. That mission nearly cost both their lives. Lucky for them, Bant and her master were in a neighboring system. Both master and padawan spent three days in the med center and another week recovering. After that mission, Qui-Gon started to pay more attention to Obi-Wan's feelings.

Every inch of his body was screaming at him to wake her. Then a thought came to him. What if she already knows and she's planning to continue anyway?

At that moment, Obi-Wan felt trapped and flustered. Part of him wanted to wake Anya while the other part was stopping him. Signing, Obi-Wan placed his head in his hands. He reached inside of himself, his center, and searched for answers.

The walk to the palace turned out to be more difficulty then anyone thought. Before sun up, the Gungan army left to start their part of the battle. As the group went, they kept an eye out for any droids. The clime to the waterfall was more then they bargained for. As they claimed, both Anya and Obi-Wan took turns helping Anakin if the boy needed it.

On the trip, several times Obi-Wan tried to tell Anya about the dream. At first, Anya didn't want to hear it. Then Anya sent across their link that she had the dream again. But this time, it went further. Obi-Wan defeated Maul. She saw herself being held by Obi-Wan. What was being said, she couldn't tell. She had begun to worry. He finally told her, he, too, had the dream and realized it was a vision. Both Jedi promised not get separated and have the vision come true.

The hanger bay was filled with blaster bolts. The soldiers and the two Jedi were attacking the droid army as the pilots hurried to their ships. Obi-Wan was focused on the droids that he didn't see a small blur of blond and brown rush past him. Out the corner of his eye, he saw the blur of white deflecting the blaster bolts. He knew Anya saw also focused on the battle. But he detected a hint of worry and drought. In less then fifteen minutes, the blaster bolts stopped and the droid army laied in melted pieces around the bay.

"My guess the viceroy is in the throne room." the queen, Padmé, said to Captain Panaka and Anya.

"I agree." Anya said.

The group started towards the main doors of the hanger when the door themselves opened. The doors revealed a finger dressed in black with a red and black face. The group stopped dead at this sudden surprise. Everyone except Anya and Obi-Wan. They knew who the new arrival was.

Darth Maul.

"We'll handle this." Anya said as she and Obi-Wan made their way to meet Maul.

The queen and everyone else headed off in a different direction. The person standing before them looked more deadly then the pervious two encounters. Everything was like devu ve as Obi-Wan took off his robe and Maul advanced towards them. He can sense or feel the adrenalin pulsing through Anya and him. This was what Anya was trying to do. Save Qui-Gon from this monster. Now that the battle had begun, Obi-Wan was more determined not to lose his love.

Maul's foot connected with Obi-Wan's chin. From the impact of the blow, Obi-Wan fell over the ledge.

//Obi-Wan!//

Anya's elbow stabs the Sith hard in the stomach. With that small two-second window, she Forced pushed him over the ledge. Maul falls to the next level down. Jumping down, Anya landed next Maul and was kicked in the chin. The Sith was up and the red energy blade was swinging towards her head. Red and white blades met in a shower of sparks.

Obi-Wan fell hard on his shoulder and rolled off. He grabbed the ledge just in time. Pulling himself up, he grabbed his lightsaber and looked up and gasped. Anya and Maul was heading towards the melting pit.

No. Not again!

Gathering the Force around him, Obi-Wan jumped up to the walkway and started to run.

//Anya, hold on, I'm on my way.// he sent to her.

There was no replay and his heart nearly stopped. He put everything he had into the run. For some reason, the Force enhanced run wouldn't work. Panic started to take over. He quickly suppressed it. He wouldn't be any help to Anya if he panicked. Every since Qui-Gon told him the Naboo mission was coming, he had a forbidding feeling. Something elusive was at work here. He had the feeling that the duel was going to end the same way. And it appeared it was going to end in death.

The electric walls cycled closed, separating Anya from Maul. Obi-Wan slide to a stop just in time before running into the deadly wall. Maul tested the wall with his blade. Finding no way through, he shut down the saber and started pausing like a deadly prey; ready to pounce it's victim.

Anya turned to face Obi-Wan, who were four walls away. Their eyes locked. She could feel his worry and impatient.

//Obi, I'm sorry. I tried not to come here. I tried to. . //

//I know. Please don't do anything rash. Try to keep him in the hallway.// Obi-Wan interrupted.

//I'll try. I love you.//

//I love you, too.//

They heard the wall cycling. The wall between the Sith and the Jedi opened. Anya turned to block Maul's blow. Obi-Wan hurried down the corridor towards them. His heart skipped a best as he saw Anya and Maul heading towards the Melting Pit. The last wall closed just as Obi-Wan got there. Frustration filled him as he watched the fight.

No, not again!

The Jedi and the Sith moved around the Melting Pit. Anya blocked every blow. Sweat was beginning to run down her neck. Maul had the upper hand. She surprised herself that she was starting to tire.

//Obi-Wan, help! I don't think I can keep this up.//

//Hold on, Anya. Just a few more minutes. Just hang on.// Obi-Wan sent back. He sent a wave of energy towards her. Obi-Wan hoped it would help.

But it didn't.

Oh, god, please no. Please, not again!

Anya backed away from Maul. It suddenly dawned on her that the dream was going to come true. And in a blink of an eye, Maul caught Anya off guard. Using the hilt of his lightsaber, he hit her in the chin and ran the red blade through her.

Anya turned shocked and stunned eyes to Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan stood frozen behind the wall. Horror filled him. It was repeating. History was repeating itself.

// Obi, I'm sorry.//

Obi-Wan watched helplessness as Anya sank to her knees and then fall to the floor.

"Noooooooo!"

Obi-Wan's scream caught Maul's attention. The Sith turned to face the padawan. Rage started to fill Obi-Wan. He looked at Ayna and back at Maul. A sneer appeared on Maul's face. The blue blade of Obi-Wan's lightsaber came alive as the wall opened. The Sith was upon him in seconds. Blue and red blades clashed as the two battled. His body countered, paired, and counter each of Maul's blows. But his mind was screaming at him. Telling him what he can do different this time. And one of those things was not to have his back to the Melting Pit.

Obi-Wan found himself starting to grow weary. It was taking very ounce of his strength to battle the dark warrior. This was something he couldn't do. He couldn't let Maul get pass his defenses. A wave of energy washed over him. Obi-Wan could feel his energy and strength grow. He used that energy and strength to battle. And he knew where it was coming from.

Anya.

Anya was helping Obi-Wan to defeat the Sith Lord. He couldn't let her use her energy and strength to help him. She needed it for herself, to heal until he could get help. He pushed the energy and strength back towards Anya.

//Use it. Defeat Maul.//

Obi-Wan's heart nearly stopped. He heard the weakness in Anya's voice. He could feel her life energy slipping. //You're not going to die. Hang on.// He wasn't sure if she heard him or not.

Obi-Wan doubled his attack. He had Maul back up against the wall. He saw the Sith's left hand raise and knew what he was going to do. Before Maul could Force push Obi-Wan away, the padawan ducked and brought the blue blade up and severed the double edge lightsaber in half. Half of the saber flow from Maul's hand and landed on the edge of the Melting Pit. Maul brought the blade down a killing strike only to be met with a blue blade.

"Give it up, Jedi. You have lost." Maul sneered.

"You underestimated yourself. It is you who will lose." Obi-Wan said.

"If I'm to lose, then why is your lover dying?"

Anger filled Obi-Wan as the words sunk in. He could feel Anya's life slipping and growing weaker. A grin appeared on Maul's face as he saw the anguish that played a crossed Obi-Wan's.

"Good. I can fill your anger. Let it go and embraces the Dark. Join us. My master can heal her. Then she, too, can embrace the Dark." Maul hissed.

A noise caught their attention. The two looked over just in time to see Maul's other half of his lightsaber fall into the Melting Pit.

"Never. We will never join you."

Anya's weak voice filtered over to them. Anya was bracing herself up on an elbow. Sweat was running down her face. Obi-Wan knew just that act was costing Anya. Then she slumps back to the floor. Using every once of energy and the Force, Obi-Wan pushed Maul away and into the wall. The blow knocked the wind out of Maul. For just a spilt second, Maul hesitated. And in that split second, Obi-Wan swung the lightsaber with vengeance and sliced Maul in two. Maul had a puzzled expression on his face as he stared at Obi-Wan. And he knew. Knew the reason why his master wanted Anya and Obi-Wan alive, to turn to the Dark Side. He knew who they were. And he saw Sidious' death and who dealt the killing blow. Obi-Wan watched as Maul's severed body fell the floor. Relief filled him for a few seconds. Using the Force, he pushed the remains over to the ledge of the Melting Pit and watched as it tumbled down the shaft.

Turning off the lightsaber, Obi-Wan hurried over to Anya. Bending down next to her, he gathered her up into his arms and cradled her against his chest.

"Anya?" he asked. His voice cracked as he brushed some hair away from her eyes.

Anya's eyes slowly opened. "I guess I was wrong. Someone was suppose to get hurt."

"You're going to be alright now."

"I did it. I saved Qui-Gon." Anya gave a weak smile. A smile that nearly torn Obi-Wan's heart.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes tightly so the tears wouldn't fall. He opened them when he felt a light touch on his cheek. Anya stared up at him, her eyes full of love. The tear rolled down his cheek.

"We need to get you help."

He picks her up and carried her to help.