This was just wrong. Categorically wrong. How dare Yoda demand he come here! How dare he insist that he commit such an atrocity against the Code! The code itself was the very backbone of the Jedi Order. It wasn't a guideline of suggestions -- it was what defined a Jedi and a Jedi was duty-bound to follow it!
And here Master Yoda, whom he had always admired for strictly following that code, was defying it, and forcing him to do the same. He could not allow it. It would set forth a precedent they would not be able to control. Would every young Jedi Knight suddenly be unable to perform their duties because they were unable to control their hormones?
This was outrageous. Every knight was smitten by some beautiful young creature at one time or another. Even he, himself had been attracted to a young senator during his mission to Ramos IV. But being the committed Jedi that he was, having sworn obedience to the Jedi Order, to the Jedi Code, he had purged his feelings, given them to the Force, and stayed true to his vows. It was what being a Jedi was all about.
This entire situation was appalling. Sure, he felt sorry for the young knight and the queen, but they had put themselves in this position, had they not? Letting their feelings run away with one another like that. He was surprised that Kenobi had not had more control.
Mace Windu uncomfortably watched from a distance as Healer T'Pal set about preparing the couple for emergence from their bond stupor. He glanced away as the final articles of clothing were removed from them, and she positioned them face to face upon the queen's expansive bed.
Hearing the rustling of bed linens, Mace turned his gaze back toward the bed, grateful that the healer had covered their bodies. T'Pal looked up at him, meeting his stern gaze.
"Once they realize that they are together -- once they touch each other, the bond should stimulate them back to consciousness."
"Should, you say. You mean you don't know for sure?" Once again, he was cynical. He could not help it. This whole thing just seemed so wrong.
"As I've mentioned before, this type of life-bond is irregular. I won't know what is going to happen...until it happens."
"That's reassuring." Mace smirked, crossing his arms and leaning heavily against the far wall.
Healer T'Pal reached down and lifted one of Kenobi's arms and placed it across the queen's bare shoulders, stepped back and waited.
The moving shadows of the setting sun beaming across the marble floor of the bed chamber revealed that much time had passed, and nothing had occurred. The couple had not moved a muscle.
Mace stood like a statue against the wall, arms still crossed, a typical stern look on his face.
T'Pal was pacing worriedly, trying to decide the next step to take.
She had done everything that her own limited knowledge and experience had provided, and out of sheer necessity was considering contacting Healer Varshin to consult, although not really wanting to do so.
Before resorting to that final measure however, she decided to reach into the mind of Obi-Wan Kenobi to attempt to find out what exactly might be going on there, unsure if his shields would even allow her to do so.
She moved toward the bed, sat next to his still form and placed a long scaled finger to his temple. What she found inside was bittersweet longing, confusion and complacency.
She placed her other hand upon the queen and reached forth into her mind. She found much of the same there, but of greater intensity.
They were withdrawing themselves, pulling away from reality, away from the pain that had been inflicted upon them. She didn't blame them, but knew that if something wasn't done, they would withdraw so completely, there would be no pulling them back. They would sink so far, that they would literally diminish their life forces until nothing was left but the shells of their former selves.
Her pained gaze turned upward to meet Master Windu.
"You must help them."
"Help them? Me? What are you talking about?"
"You are the reason that they resist. You and the council. You attempted to destroy everything they had. Their peace, their joy, their love. They are holding onto that now and are not going to let go unless you can convince them that they can be together. You have to convince them Mace or they will both die."
Mace's brow furrowed deeply. His conscience screamed out against this, but he did not want to be the cause for the young couple's demise. He wasn't that big of a bastard.
He moved forward and sat on the opposite side of the bed and hesitantly placed his hands where T'Pal's had been.
"Speak to them Mace. Tell them that everything will be okay."
Mace moved into the mind of the young queen at first, but soon found himself bombarded with emotions from Kenobi as well. It was if the two young people were of one thought, one mind. He shuddered at the depth and variety of emotions he felt. Deep longing, committment to one another, but mostly love. An undefinable love -- so deep, so pure. It was nothing he had ever experienced himself, and he wondered if anyone had ever experienced such a thing.
He ventured further into their minds, unaware of the tears that were now streaming down his face.
He met some anger, rejection, a twinge of fear apparently caused by his presence, and the complacency that the healer had encountered.
But more than anything he could feel the Force. It was so strong and bright. It was obviously binding the two of them together. He could understand now why the healers had been unable to separate them. They were no longer two souls, but one.
This was no ordinary life-bond. This was a soul-bond, created by the Force. It was so obvious to him now that he could see if for himself.
/Kenobi./ He hesitated, hoping for a reply, but decided to proceed without one. /You must come back. I understand now. I'm sorry for bringing the council against you. I'm sorry for what they did - for what I've done. Please come back./