Obi-Wan had entered into a light meditative trance on the floor of his cell. Unsure of when nourishment would be offered, he listened to the Force and chose to conserve his energy stores. All of his equipment and his utility belt had been stripped away from him once they had arrived. His only means of help and support came from the Force.
He found himself asking questions of the future but received no answers. Frustration welled up inside of him along with disappointment. He was also struggling with feelings of despair. The entire galaxy was depending on him, to rescue the Chosen One, his son, take him away from this place and back to the Jedi Temple where he would be safe. Only, he wasn't sure how he was going to do that.
Patience padawan. Another way will present itself.
Obi-Wan smiled as his previous master's words entered his mind. He missed Qui-Gon. "I wish he were with me now." Obi-Wan murmured to himself.
His eyes opened slowly just before a guard entered the hallway leading to his cell. The blue armored being deactivated the shield, opened the door, and moved aside to allow a middle-aged woman to pass by him. In the woman's arms she held a small bundle wrapped in a cream colored blanket. She walked up to Obi-Wan, knelt down slightly and placed the bundle in his arms, turned and left as she had come.
Obi-Wan watched as the helmeted guard turned, locked the door, reset the field and left the area.
With slightly shaking hands he lifted the corner of the blanket, revealing the pale features of a beautiful baby boy. His son. He was sleeping, but not resting. Obi-Wan had felt the irritating effects of the incomplete bond emanating from the boy as soon as he arrived on the ship, but as he held the baby in his hands, the irritation began to seep away, and in its place was growing a sooth and calming warmth. A family bond. Healer T'Pal would be intrigued.
So it was true, and Sidious knew it. Unless the bond stabilized in the infant, he would suffer and eventually even die. He had been brought here to save the child's life.
Obi-Wan beheld the small features, unwrapping the child even more. Amazing. Somehow, the Force had created an attachment between them, even though this was the first time he had laid eyes on the child.
A small smirking grin appeared on the baby's sleeping face and Obi-Wan grinned widely. Already the baby's color had improved and he was beginning to waken. Obi-Wan could feel the baby's heart beat stabilize and the child's lifeforce improve greatly as he unknowingly drew strength from his father.
"Hello there." Obi-Wan met the soft blue gaze and reached for a hand that immediately gripped tightly onto his finger.
"I see you have your father's eyes...and chin." Obi-Wan noted the slight dimpling of the baby's face. "Lucky for you though, you have your mother's nose."
"Have they been treating you well, little one? You know something? You need a name, don't you?" The baby blinked as if in response to his question.
"Let's see." Obi-Wan continued, not taking his eyes away from the infant in his arms. "I've always been fond of the name Ben. Ben Kenobi. What do you think of that?"
The baby's lip curled slightly as if in disgust and Obi-Wan chuckled softly. "Okay, not Ben. Maybe your mother can think of something. Let's just hope it's not one of those strange Nubian names."
The baby watched him intently, his eyes focused on his father's face, his tiny hand still gripping tightly onto his finger. Obi-Wan smiled as the baby yawned widely.
"You've had a rough start, little one, but things will get better. I promise." And he sealed his promise with a kiss to his son's tiny nose.
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Mace watched Padmé board the customized H-Type yacht she had brought from Naboo. "I'll be on board in a minute." He told her as she paused on the ramp to glance back at him.
Once she had boarded, he immediately reached for his comlink and contacted Healer T'Pal.
"This is Mace Windu. Senator Amidala and myself are leaving to rescue Kenobi and the child."
"And I suppose this is with Master Yoda's blessing?"
Mace cringed slightly. He had not spoken with Yoda before leaving and he did not wish for the ancient Master to know his plans -- at least until he was off-planet. "No, I have not yet informed Yoda of our intentions."
"Don't worry Mace. Your secret is safe with me."
"Thank you."
"What is the problem?"
"The senator seems to have developed some Force sensitivity. I felt a pull in the Force when I spoke with her earlier and it seems to be growing. Is that possible?"
T'Pal did not answer right away and Mace patiently awaited her reply. "I suppose she could have absorbed some of the baby's midichlorians through the placenta. He is the Chosen One Mace, and his midichlorian countis off the chart."
"Great." Mace grumbled.
"What does that mean?"
"This is going to be a dangerous mission. I need her to help me find Kenobi, but a novice Force user couldpose a problem. She could become a hindrance."
"She could also be a great help, Mace."
"Yes, I suppose she could." He hoped that the healer would be proved right and that for the second time in his life, his instincts would prove him wrong, but he could not shake the feeling of dread that was pricking away at his conscience.
"Mace?"
"Yes T'Pal?"
"Be careful."
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AN: From this point on, it is important that youforget I ever mentioned Anakin in the beginning of this story. (If you go back to chapter 3 - you will indeed find no evidence of him mentioned any more.) And that's all I'm going to say. ; )