AN: Ok, I'll admit that I was going to make you guys wait longer for this one, but I'm just a real pushover. So voila! The third and final chapter of My Immortal. Thank you to everybody who reviewed for me, you make my day, and encourage me to keep on with this insanity!

Obi-Wan: (mouths the words) Help me, please!

Shut up back there, you! Ahem! I don't own anything, except - obviously - Obi-Wan Kenobi (Obi-wan rattles manacles on wrists piteously) No, I'm kidding, I don't own anything (kicks Obi out of room and slams the door) You guys didn't see NOTHIN, understand? HAH! Well, on to review replys!

Lil-Kenobi-Greenleaf: (calculating look) Life-sized Obi-Wan plushies…? WOW! That's even cooler than action figures! :o) I need something to cuddle with, anyways. I'm really glad that you like the story, but warnings in advance… you ain't seen sad yet! (wink). Yes, the ROTS soundtrack is awesome, but silly Xtine bought it while still living overseas, so I can't play the cool bonus DVD. Sniffle.

MissNaye: Yeah, that was pretty awful, wasn't it? Even I'm not that twisted! Of course, after finishing the fic, you may disagree with me on that….

Red Lion Phoenix: I didn't know that he got rid of them… haven't actually read that GN yet. Oh well, this is more fun!

Snow: Yes, it would be nice if there was a miracle, wouldn't it? But just wait and see, I'm not going to give anything away!

Alley: Unfortunately, the Jedi Mind Trick only works on the weak minded. And while I'm rather a puddle of mush when it comes to Obi-Wan, I'm rather unbendable when it comes to severely angsty possibilities. But I'm glad that the quick update last time made you happy!

DarkGirl5: Thank you for such a nice review! Isn't that maggot thing AWESOME! I was revolted and compelled at the same time! I'm glad that you are as twisted as I am. And thank you for liking my SW fics! So happy! I'm almost finished chapter 3 of Chiaroscuro, and then Ill write more on the sequel story to Trapped Angels. But this one might come first!

Vee017: An Obi plush for you for being so darn NICE! Yes, Obi-Wan is just made to be tortured, especially since I love him SO much! That makes no sense, I know, I know…I'm quite partial to the shower scene as well… (big grin). I may have to add one into every fic that I write, just for the hell of it! And the maggots weren't my invention, I just used them. With no small amount of malicious glee. If you want happy, check out TempleMistress's fic, its angst with a nice ending. Not like me. But The sequel to Trapped Angels should be nice! Never fear! I can do nice…sometimes….:o)

Liana! : You acutally posted a review! (happy dance) except that I think a single word does not a review make...even if it did make me smile wickedly. Love you! Hope you like this chapter!

Vespa: I'm afraid that this will be the last update for this story, as... well, you'll see. I didn't want to drag it out too much.

Enyadove: Well, I hope that you like the story still after this final instalment! Glad to hear that you're enjoying it!

TEMPLE MISTRESS! Do you have your tissues to hand? Ready to have your poor little heart torn apart? Heh, I'm sorry, I'm being Sithly again, aren't I? Thank you again for your wonderful in-depth reviews, and for helping me bring this fic into a satisfactory… well, sort of…conclusion. There's one little new part in here, see if you can catch it! Anakin's POV, and I had wanted to write that originally, but I forgot! Oh well…I always try to add some new stuff in these things for you, so you don't have to read the exact same story all over again!

Part 3

He could feel the light wash over him, soothing in its presence, comforting in its proximity. There was hurt there, pain and confusion commingled… but it was Anakin. Anakin had come back to him. Some tension that he didn't even know he was holding in suddenly was released, a soft sigh escaping his lips.

Anakin was there.

It was an extreme effort, fighting back the lethargy that suffused his entire being, but he wanted to see that precious face, wanted to look into those turbulent eyes and see that wonderful, heart-wrenching smile.

----

Anakin caught his breath as Luminara left him alone in the small room. Obi-Wan looked terrible. His Master had lost all illusions of strength, his aura was feeble, and his skin seemed almost translucent, as though he would just fade away into a whisper. A shadow if his former presence.

Anakin moved closer to the bed, feeling his breathing grow ragged as he surveyed the damage. How could his Master have faded so much, so quickly? The strong, handsome figure that he had so desired in the 'fresher room not too weeks ago had dwindled to a frail skeleton of a man. Stripped of the flowing robes that would have concealed some of the damage, Anakin could see how truly fragile Obi-Wan had become; muscles wasted, skin nearly grey, save for the blossoming of purple bruises. His eyes were shadowed, cheeks sunken slightly, brilliant auburn hair lank against his skull, garish in the gloom.

Anakin reached out one hand to brush that delicate cheek, feeling tears swell in his eyes, an unbearable love in his heart. He closed his eyes tightly, deeply wounded by the sight of his vibrant, vivacious Master, his Obi-Wan, reduced to such a state.

"That's a welcoming expression… I'm sorry that I don't look my best."

Anakin's head snapped up, to meet those clear grey-green eyes. The eyes that hadn't changed a bit. There was his beloved, in the sarcastic lilt to his voice, tired and hoarse now, but still charged with the clipped Coruscanti syllables that made Anakin smile.

Moving to sit next to the bed, he gently took one of Obi-Wan's hands in his own. "Well, Master, I would have thought that you would make more of an effort to be presentable, considering you dragged me back here."

Obi-Wan snorted softly in disbelief. "As if I could ever got you to do anything."

His heart was singing, despite the numbing pain that suffused every limb of his body, barely quelled by the mind-fogging drugs. Anakin was back. The strength of that Force glow washed over him, and he basked in the love that travelled over their intimate Force-bond. Anakin's gentle grasp on his hand was like an anchor, holding his erratically wandering thoughts to the present, keeping him grounded in reality.

He didn't know what to say to his friend at this moment, there was too much that he wanted to tell Anakin, needed to tell Anakin. The words jumbled in his mind, mixed up and blocked off, until he was unable to sort out what he truly felt. All he could manage was a weak "How was the race?"

"I was winning."

And Anakin's smile lit up the entire world.

He loved bantering with Obi-Wan like this, as though nothing had changed between them. As though nothing would ever change. There was only the moment, and the two of them together in it.

Leaning in closer, he casually brushed his lips over Obi-Wan's temple. "Somehow, I pictured the first time I saw you naked in bed a little differently…" he chuckled softly, a smile forced through the tears that dwelt just beneath the surface of his self-control.

Obi-Wan looked affronted. "I am wearing pants…" he muttered. "There are altogether too many female healers in the Temple," he tried to laugh weakly, but it came out as a cough, forcing him to double over with the force of its intensity.

Anakin instantly had his arms around him, holding him tight enough to bruise. Holding him until the fit subsided, until he could breathe again. Then he felt those arms begin to slacken their hold, to pull away.

"No…" he whispered into the crook of Anakin's shoulder. Force, when had he become so dependant on the younger man? He just felt so safe in those arms. He never wanted to let go. Anakin had always been hailed as the "Chosen One", prophesized to bring Balance to the Force. All Obi-Wan knew for certain was that the younger man brought balance to his life.

He needed Anakin.

Anakin worried that he would break his Master in half, holding him so tightly in his arms as he was, as though he could keep the rest of the universe at bay, keep any more harm from his perfect Obi-Wan. He felt so light, so ethereal, as though Anakin was embracing little more than a ghost. But when he tried to pull away, those arms, painfully thin now, tightened slightly around him, a whispered protest murmured at the base of his neck. Shifting his weight slightly, he gently slid from the chair to the bed itself, pulling Obi-Wan into a more comfortable embrace. Truth be known, he didn't want to let go either.

"I was going to go after you, you know. When you left." Obi-Wan whispered, his cheek resting on Anakin's chest, right above his heart. Musical thunder in his ears.

Anakin rested his chin lightly on top of his head. "What made you change your mind?"

Obi-Wan chuckled ruefully, nuzzling his head against Anakin. "Well, my well-documented dislike for flying aside, I was in no real condition to pilot a spaceship…."

There was a momentary silence, each Jedi lost in his own thoughts.

"You should have come to the infirmary earlier." Anakin's voice was muffled. Although Obi-Wan couldn't see the other man's face, he had a sick feeling that he was crying. Crying over him. "Then this never would have happened."

Obi-Wan sighed, unsure of what to say. "I spent far too much time in here as a Padawan, Anakin –"

"Did you even think of me?" Anakin demanded, pushing Obi-Wan away roughly, capturing those narrow shoulders in his powerful hands. His face was streaked with tears, his eyes ablaze. "I know you don't give a damn about yourself, but what about me, Obi-Wan?"

He hated that stunned look in his Master's eyes, as though he was completely amazed that his life could possibly matter to someone else. He hated whatever had happened to Obi-Wan in the past that would make him so unsure now. Hated that his Master didn't seem to know how important he was. He hated that he was beginning to cry in front of this man who he respected, cherished, and loved so much that it was a constant agony to get through each day. But he was suddenly a boy again, being forced to leave his mother. Being told that Master Qui-Gon Jinn was dead. A Padawan, being told sternly that he was not allowed to love.

He hated the fact that he had had the power to save lives, and had let it slip through his grasp. If Palpatine were to reappear in this room right now, he wouldn't care what it did to him, to become a Sith apprentice, he would take that power. To save Obi-Wan.

He didn't want to fight with him right now, but he couldn't keep the bitterness from his words.

"Did you ever think what it would do to me if… if I lost you? What am I supposed to do?"

Not like this, he didn't want their conversation to go like this. Angry and accusatory. Any moment, Obi-Wan would snap at him to stop being so damnably selfish, and he would be right to do so as well. But he would argue, until Obi-Wan told him to leave.

Force, but he didn't want that to happen.

"I'm sorry, Anakin."

The words were so soft that he almost didn't hear them, but they forced him to raise his eyes to Obi-Wan's own. To see the pain therein.

Sith Hell, but it was fucking ironic. To have the person that he had utterly failed apologizing to him.

Obi-Wan touched the contour of his jaw lightly, sliding his hand back to tangle in Anakin's disorderly curls.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't." he interrupted his Master, catching the hand that played lightly with his hair. "Don't apologize to me…" he leaned forward, pressing his forehead against Obi-Wan's. This hurt too much, he should leave. Leave this room and try to forget everything. Let it all go.

Or put the emitter of his lightsabre to his temple and…

"I shouldn't have pushed you away from me. I didn't want to, Anakin, oh Force, I'm so sorry…"

Sorry. What a trite word that was, how incredibly inadequate. To feel Anakin's heartbeat, the sensation of that unruly blonde hair caught between his fingers. Things should have been different between them, whatever the Code would say to the contrary. When Anakin caught his hand and held it still, he knew it was too late for them. Not that he could blame his friend - to be embraced by someone who looked like little more than a living corpse was no doubt decidedly unpleasant.

He was so selfish; to be mortally afraid of what would come beyond tomorrow. He would rejoin with the Force - that was what they were taught to believe as younglings. It was an assertion he had never questioned until this moment.

Suddenly he was terrified. Terrified of dying, of being cut off from the world, from Anakin.

He didn't want to die.

So he whispered apologies, trying to set things right, to make things the way they used to be between him and his former apprentice. Before Jabiim, before Rattatak. Before that damnable encounter in the 'fresher room.

He just wanted to go back to being a simple Jedi Knight, with an exceptional Padawan to guard his back. He didn't want to be here, in this dark room, so close to Anakin and yet so far away. He wanted to return to the days when he was young and handsome… and it was even conceivable that Anakin could love him.

"Come here." Anakin whispered, gently pushing him back down on the bed, lying down next to him, arms still wrapped securely around his waist. Obi-Wan curled in closer to him, tucking his head against Anakin's chest, pressing one hand to his face so that the younger Jedi wouldn't see him crying.

Anakin felt Obi-Wan shaking in his arms, and, his heart clenching painfully with the knowledge, knew that his Master had started to cry. It made him feel so damnably helpless, to know that he couldn't ease those tears. He felt Obi-Wan's fear through their Force-bond, in the way that the Jedi Master clung so tightly to him. He wanted to erase all that pain, to kiss away all of his sadness. To make everything right between them.

"Come here" he repeated softly, lips against Obi-Wan's hair. Closing his eyes, and reaching out….

Come here, and Obi-Wan felt the light that was Anakin surge along their Force bond, wrapping around him, lifting his spirit from the broken shell that was his mortal prison. He breathed in deeply, dimly aware of their two bodies still pressed together on the thin mattress of the infirmary bed. All his eyes saw was light

White light that suffused his being.

(Anakin?)

And the man was there, dressed in his flowing black, eyes smiling, the scar that cut across his eye vanished in this place. Minus the cybernetic arm that had replaced his real one after the battle with Dooku.

What the Force..?

Obi-Wan looked down at himself, shocked to see the flow of his tan Jedi robes, the strength of his hands. The brush of his hair against his cheeks, longer than it had been for over three years.

As if reading his thoughts, Anakin laughed. (I was so upset when you got it cut.)

(I remember. You said it made me look old.)

Anakin stepped forward, casually running his hand – his real hand – through Obi-Wan's hair, letting his palm rest on the base of Obi-Wan's skull, making his pulse start to race. Drawing him closer, until their bodies touched. Anakin lowered his head slowly to Obi-Wan's own, smiling with the faintest sparkle of tears in his eyes. Their lips met, brushing gently, tenderly.

Obi-Wan felt the tears start as he wound his arms around Anakin's neck, pulling him closer, deepening their embrace.

(This is how you'll always look to me.) Anakin's voice, speaking directly to his heart. (Perfect. Beautiful.)

Then the light was gone, the meditation that they had shared vanished. They were still entwined on the tiny cramped bed. But there was peace there now. Neither one of them had had to say it, the light; the Force glow that had cradled them both for a brief few moments had resonated with the emotion.

Love.

Anakin felt something ease in Obi-Wan, and smiled weakly. He had brought Obi-Wan into his own thoughts, had made his Master see how beautiful he truly was, how much Anakin loved him. Nothing had changed in that respect. He would love Obi-Wan his entire life, even after his Master moved on to join with the Force.

He was surprised when Obi-Wan pushed him back slightly, moving away so that he could stare Anakin in the eyes. There was a strange light of resolve there, some decision reached of which Anakin was unaware.

"Remember me that way? Always?"

Obi-Wan's voice was so quiet, that Anakin had to lean in to catch the words, so intense that it made him draw back slightly. All he could do was nod mutely.

Relieved, Obi-Wan sank back down against the pillows, eyes drifting shut momentarily as he sighed, letting go of all residual tension. With a heavy gesture, he motioned to where his robes were hanging, the utility belt that was next to them. The lightsabre quivered slightly as he tried to exert the Force to draw it to himself, but remained in place.

Instantly, Anakin stretched out his own hand, pressing his palm against the back of Obi-Wan's, lending his Master his strength. The silver cylinder jiggled slightly, then rose to float gradually across the room. Anakin let Obi-Wan guide it; let him borrow his strength rather than taking control of the movement. He would let his Master maintain his pride.

But when the lightsabre's emitter reached the bed, Obi-Wan let his hand fall back to his side, leaving Anakin to snatch the cylinder from the air.

"Master…?"

Obi-Wan met his eyes, the faint curve of a smile tracing the edge of his lips.

Anakin instantly knew what he wanted. Something that he couldn't bear to do. Agitated, he extricated himself from Obi-Wan's form, rising to pace across the room.

(Anakin.)

That voice, so patient, so loving. Damn it, but he wouldn't listen! This was ridiculous! He couldn't… he wouldn't.

"NO." he cried out, shaking his head wildly, squeezing his eyes tightly shut. He couldn't breathe; there was no air in the room, a strange pressure was pushing down on his heart. "No. I can't, I won't."

(Anakin, let it go. You will be fine without me.)

Damn him for sounding so calm! It was a lie, a bitter lie. He would die without Obi-Wan there. Anakin gasped in a uneven breath, feeling himself trembling violently.

No no no no no.

"Don't make me do this," he pleaded, hand clenching convulsively around the hilt of the lightsabre.

Obi-Wan didn't respond to his entreaty, but Anakin could feel the subtle desperation that flowed through their bond. The pain. His Master was living in agony, trapped in a wasted body that was dying around him. He wouldn't recover; they both knew that full well, much as Anakin may like to pretend otherwise. The only question was how long it would take for him to die. Obi-Wan had always been strong.

He was begging Anakin to let him go.

Anakin wasn't sure he was ready to do that.

(You're a wonderful Jedi Knight, Anakin. I'm proud of you.)

Anakin tilted his head back to the darkened ceiling, letting a ragged breath escape him.

(…and I will always be with you.)

Anakin felt his shoulders slump in despair, bit his lip, and drew in a long, slow breath in an attempt to steady himself.

Oh, Force….

Then, still half-blinded by tears, he turned and pressed the lightsabre's emitter over Obi-Wan's heart. Met his Master's, his love's, eyes.

Kissed him one last time.

"I love you."

Obi-Wan smiled. (And I you, Anakin.)

He pressed the activator button.

----

It was the sudden absence in the Force that made Luminara rush into the room, although violent sobs followed hard on its heels. Anakin was collapsed on the ground next to the infirmary bed, curled up tightly, one hand still clenching Obi-Wan's wrist. The other held a lightsabre tightly.

The perfect circle over the dead Jedi's heart told her the rest of the tale.

Tugging Anakin to his feet, she guided his reluctant form from the room, escorting him to his own chambers, and tucked him into his own bed. He didn't stop crying for a single instant.

Soothing the agony in his mind with a Force-touch and cool hands on his fevered forehead, Luminara guided the broken Jedi Knight to sleep. She sat by his side for a long time, stroking his mussed hair and willing him pleasant dreams.

She felt the tears rise in her own eyes when he pressed back against her hand, murmuring his Master's name.

"You did well, young one," she whispered.

He smiled in his sleep.

----

"Promote you to the rank of Jedi Master, this Council does. Spoke highly of you, Obi-Wan Kenobi always did."

"I shall, of course, endeavour to live up to his reputation."

"Miss him, do you?"

Anakin smiled softly, reaching out into the Force. White light. Pure light that wrapped around his senses.

"I don't. I don't need to."

Obi-Wan was still with him. He just had to close his eyes. Immortal in his memories, in the touch of the Force.

Free….

-----

"I held your hand through all of these years,
You still have all of me."
Evanescence, My Immortal

END

So yes, any and alll Obi-lovers now despise me. I'll go hide in my room so I don't get yelled at. Hee hee hee. I hope that you liked the fic, and if it made you cry, be sure to tell me that!

Leave a review, or Anakin willbe next! Jedi-cide! Mwahahah!

Ahem.

Xtine