The Jedi Council was about to adjourn when what sounded like a riot outside of their chamber door caught their attention. Loud voices, one female, and another of a male adolescent filtered through the closed door. Soon, a somewhat flustered padawan came in and excused himself.
"I'm sorry masters, but there is a healer here who insists on being admitted."
"Our meeting is adjourned, young one." Yoda's gentle gaze fell on the boy.
"Tell Healer T'Pal that she may set an appointment to meet with the council the next time." Mace Windu stated.
"I certainly will not!" Healer Sokula T'Pal eased her way around the young Jedi blocking her way, glancing down at him with a warning glance to leave, which he obeyed immediately.
She spun around to meet Mace Windu's glare.
"You have not been called to this council, healer."
"I am aware of that, but I must speak."
"This is highly improper." Ki-Adi-Mundi shook his head sternly toward the healer and met the slight agreeing nod of Master Windu.
"I have news of the condition of Knight Kenobi, and it will not wait."
Mace's chest rose as he inhaled deeply, sending his irritation into the Force. Yoda, as calm and serene as ever, motioned with his claw for the healer to proceed. "Tell us what you know."
"Apparently Knight Kenobi has suffered cerebrosomatic syncope."
"Speak in words we can all understand T'Pal." Windu smirked.
"He is in a coma."
"A coma! By what cause?" Ki-Adi-Mundi seemed genuinely concerned and it gave the healer the courage to proceed.
"By forcing a separation between Kenobi and the Queen. It has put too much of a strain on the bond and he obviously was incapable of dealing with it. I have him stabilized in the healing unit now."
"But you said that separation would dissolve the bond." Mace was leaning forward on his elbows, his dark brown eyes glaring into the slanted yellow-green ones of T'Pal.
"It usually does, but this is a type of bond we are not used to dealing with. I tried to inform you of this." Her eyes scanned around the council room. "But you did not listen. You have put Knight Kenobi at great risk."
"What about the Queen?" Adi Gallia asked from her seat on the opposite side of the room.
T'Pal turned slightly to address her. "It is likely that she has been affected as well."
"Affected, she has been."
T'Pal did not question the ancient master's statement.Yoda was known to be highly attuned to the Force and could read every one of its nuances. She was not surprised that he knew what was going on, but was disappointed that he had not done anything about it. Her face turned into a look of gentle pleading.
"They must be brought together as soon as possible."
"No...no." Master Windu was shaking his head, his eyes cast to the floor. He looked up to seek Yoda's assistance. "This must not be allowed. It goes against everything the Jedi believe in."
"If you do not allow them to stabilizetheir life-bond, they could...die."
Mace brought his eyes back up to meet T'Pal. "I'm sorry, but this must not be allowed. The code..."
He did not finish his statement before Yoda broke in. "Damn the code! Wrong it is, if such pain it causes. Think the code more important than Knight Kenobi's life do you? And the Queen's as well?"
Mace sat dumbfounded. Never before had he heard Master Yoda speak in such defiance. He was about to voice his opinion once more, but the authoritarian gaze of Master Yoda caused him to shut his mouth.
"Brought together, they must be. Master Windu and Healer T'Pal, escort young Kenobi back to Naboo, you will."
There was no more argument to be made. Mace slumped heavily back into his chair.
A wide grin displaying a row of sharp teeth spread across Healer T'Pal's face. She bowed quickly and thanked Yoda before leaving the room.
All of the council members looked to one another, each sharing a similar stunned expression, but no one was more stunned than Mace Windu. Not only was Master Yoda defying the Jedi Code, he was basically ordering him to do the same.