Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters or anything Star Wars related.

CH. 11

"RECOVERY"

Obi-Wan Kenobi intently studied the sleeping form of Padme Amidala.

How can this be? She was dying…I could feel her slipping away, he thought to himself. How could she have made such a miraculous recovery? She was so far gone – there was no hope…

At a loss for words, the Jedi Knight turned to his two companions. Senator Bail Organa and Master Yoda stood beside him – both of them thoughtfully watching Padme as well. Medical droids hovered over her and ran tests while they stood and waited.

"Master Yoda, I don't understand," Obi-Wan pondered aloud. "I could feel her passing on before Anakin took her. How could she have possibly survived when she was already so far gone?"

"The will of the Force, it was," Yoda answered.

"Indeed it was," Bail agreed, resting his hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder. "Life works in mysterious ways, Master Kenobi."

Patting the Jedi Knight on the shoulder, Senator Organa turned to leave. "Today is a day to be remembered. Today, peace has been restored to the galaxy. However, I must see to it that the Empire is completely dissolved before I will be able to rest easy, so if you'll excuse me, gentlemen…I have a lot to do."

Obi-Wan and Yoda said their farewells to the Senator as he left them alone in the room.

"I would very much like to hear what Padme has to say about all this once she wakes up," Obi-Wan commented.

Yoda closed his eyes while he lost himself deep in thought. "Many questions, have you?"

"Of course I do, Master, don't you?" Obi-Wan asked with a raised eyebrow. "Nothing makes sense. Anakin relinquished his place as Emperor and returned total control to the Republic after all he has done…I don't understand it."

"What's not to understand, my young apprentice?"

Obi-Wan immediately looked over when he heard the voice of his old Master speak up beside him. Qui-Gon Jinn smiled warmly at his former padawan. "He is the 'Chosen One'. He ended the legacy of the Sith – just as the prophecy said he would."

"But he is a part of the dark side now," Obi-Wan replied, sadness evident in his features.

"He can still be saved, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said as he turned his attention to Padme. "Today is proof of that. Things are not always as black and white as they seem…there are always shades of gray."

TO BE

CONCLUDED...