Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars.

Author's Note: Another chapter up and ready. ;-) P.S. There is going to be a sizable amount of jumping in this chapter. Side Note: My editor and friend was angered at the ending of Ch 8... she has become quite attached to Detritus (he's her boy) . Funny because Nebulous is my favorite. Ah, dark lords got to love them.

Key: /Exile's Voice/

/Force Communication/

Chapter Nine- One Mind

Two days after last chapter…

Anakin stepped casually off the platform of the destroyer that had brought him back to Coruscant. 'It's good to be home.' He thought, as he admired the sunlit buildings of Coruscant. It beat Tatooine any day. On the platform, his former master waited for him. Anakin was taken aback by the grin that was on Qui-Gon's face. 'How could he be done grieving for Obi-wan so quickly?'

"Master," Anakin called in greeting. "How have things been?"

The grin grew wider. "Much better, Obi-wan was brought back alive from Utapau."

"But I thought the training bond you shared with him had snapped?"

A more worried look broadened on to Qui-Gon's weathered face. "He separated himself from the Force on Utapau. It was his method of survival."

The very thought of detaching oneself from the Force troubled Anakin. "Is he alright?"

"Physically, Obi-wan is drained. He has a long road to recovery. The loss of the Force, I think has hit him harder then he had expected."

"I could not imagine it."

"Neither could I, I don't think Obi-wan knew what he was doing when he came to that decision."

The conversation continued as they moved through the Temple. After sometime, it drifted to other subjects. Anakin could tell that Qui-Gon was relieved to have him back on Coruscant. With the two Sith on the loose, it would not do for the Chosen One to end up dead or drained of the Force.

As they neared Anakin's quarters, his comlink began to drone. Anakin smiled apologetically to Qui-Gon before answering the call.

"Ah, Master Ani," C-3PO's voice chimed. "We had heard that you had returned from Hypori."

"C-3PO, is this important?" Anakin asked a little annoyed.

"I was told to make sure you were alone."

Anakin's eyes closed in anger. He felt Qui-Gon's gentle hand touch his shoulder. "I will leave you then. Perhaps, later, we will be able to talk more."

When Qui-Gon left the room, Anakin returned his attention back to the comlink. "What is the message?"

"It's Miss Padmè. She's having the twins."

"TWINS?" Anakin asked dumbstruck.

"Yes, they are twins. She is located in a private ward, Wing 6, in room 12 at the Senatorial Hospital. It will be completely confidential."

"Tell her I'll be right there." Anakin shut off the comlink and raced to find transportation. As he did this, memories of his dreams flashed before his eyes. Anakin forced himself to remember that the visions of her death had stopped.

Anakin found Padmè's room easily enough. Inside, Dormè, one of Padmè's loyal handmaidens met him. She seemed calm. In fact, she even smiled at Anakin.

"She is doing well, Anakin! Can you believe it? I'm going to have twins to take care of." Her joy was infectious, and Anakin found himself smiling with her.

Beyond Dormè, Anakin could see Padmè. She was in the middle of her labor, but in spite of the pain, she smiled happily at him. The soon to be father, moved quickly to her bedside and tenderly grasped her hand.

"The doctor says it will be soon." She said cheerfully.

"I'm sure you'll be glad to be rid of them."

"Ani!"

Anakin laughed. "I was only joking. I can't wait till I can actually hold them."

"I know-." A contraction irrupted ending her sentence.

The door opened and a doctor moved to examine Padmè. After a few seconds, he turned to the expectant parents. "Let's bring this new life into the world."

Anakin stood by Padmè's side uttering words of silent encouragement. After half an hour, the first arrived. "It's a boy." With a quick look at Padmè, Anakin whispered, "Luke." The second child followed a few seconds after. "It's a girl." Padmè answered this time. "Leia."

That moment, as the pair held their children, was the most jovial occasion for them ever.

After awhile, Qui-Gon returned to the healer's ward. Obi-wan's eyes were closed and his head rested back on the pillows. Qui-Gon was sure the knight had return to sleep, and began to leave.

"I'm awake," Obi-wan's voice called softly. "I was just thinking."

Qui-Gon moved to the chair beside the bed. "Hmm?"

Obi-wan reddened slightly. "It was nothing."

Qui-Gon frowned at the younger man. "What can make the 'Negotiator' blush so?"

Obi-wan looked away. "I can feel her, and hear her thoughts." The young man frowned. "I'm not used to having a woman in my head."

Qui-Gon could not contain the laughter that broke forth.

"This is not a laughing matter!" Obi-wan's face took on one of horror. "She can see and hear everything!"

"I'm sure the masters will find a way to sever the bond."

"Ravelin does not believe so," Obi-wan whispered. "She believes the masters would find such a process too dangerous."

"Can you tell what her opinion on the bond is?" Qui-Gon asked curiously.

"Same as mine," Obi-wan began. "It is awkward, and at times very uncomfortable. Though she is better at blocking me, then I am at blocking her."

"Does she try to invade your mind?"

"No… my walls are completely gone. My thoughts and feelings just feed through the bond into her. So it really is my fault that these past few days she has had headaches." Obi-wan smiled softly. "She has been complaining about it these past two days."

"That is a woman for you."

The frown on Obi-wan's face threatened to fasten. He had never expected the road to recovery to be so tedious. After five days of practice, Obi-wan had not improved in his ability to go through the motion of the intricate positions. He also had no inkling on how much he had depended on the Force before now. Sadly, the only highlight of his week had been when Master Jamil had agreed that he could return to his quarters. Obi-wan, used to his solitary existence, became annoyed when 'visitors' continued to drop by. Most of them played at nurse when they came. Then there was the bond. It was awkward to have her so much a part of his mind.

Now, in his quarters, he fumbled through the katas. It aggravated him to remember that at one point he had been able to perform them almost flawlessly. Obi-wan moved into a particular difficult position, only to fall when a person began to knock on his door. 'Sith Blood!'

/You should be more careful what you think. We have to work on your language, too./

Obi-wan blushed, as he opened the door. Silently, he gazed down upon the woman. It was his first meeting with her, but he already felt as if he had known her for years.

"Sorry, I know how tired you are of visitors."

Obi-wan reddened further. 'Why?'

"That is a good question. You really need to learn how to block." Ravelin entered the room and flopped down on Obi-wan's couch. "I hear everything you are thinking."

/And you're that much better/ Obi-wan sent to her, through the bond, as he too sat beside her on the couch.

"Probably not, this is something new for both of us. And that is why we must learn control. In intense moments of aggravation and pain, the other will feel it as well. We have to be prepared for such incidents."

"And how do you suggest we go about that?"

Ravelin sighed, and Obi-wan felt her restlessness rise. "I wish I knew. With time I'm sure the answer will come."

/You're really not that optimistic inside you know./

'Touché," Ravelin said lightly. "So, what was annoying you before I arrived?"

"Going over the katas," Obi-wan answered offhandedly.

"Just a guess, but it'll be long time before you can handle a lightsaber again?" Ravelin continued already having felt his response. "No, matter, I do not see Nebulous and Detritus coming to Coruscant anytime soon. Too many Jedi here, and the whole Republic fleet waiting for them."

"The Outer Rim will be left to suffer, instead."

"In times of war, sacrifices must be made, if any are to survive at all."

Obi-wan's blue eyes held her gaze, before looking away. "I have come to despise war."

Ravelin sunk deeper into the couch, closing her eyes in thought. "That is well, I hate it too. It has been a part of my life since I was born, and it has haunted my every step."

/You say that with such sorrow./

"I have seen those I loved killed, or deteriorate before my eyes. I was orphaned at an early age. The leader of the Second House killed my mother when I was ten, before her death, she had been tortured. My father was lost without her, one day he just left, we never discovered where. When you are a Revanite you see death on such a scale."

"There is something else."

"It is something I do not talk about, not to anyone. We all make mistakes in our lives, and we shouldn't be forced to relive them."

Obi-wan knew better then to press the matter. He could easily detect the hurt that radiated from that wound.

/Give her time./

Ravelin eyed him cautiously. "Is something wrong?"

"No," Obi-wan replied quickly. "Everything is just fine."

Ravelin leaned forwarded. "Perhaps, I can help you with the katas, if you'd like," she said softly. "I am quite gifted at them, though I prefer lightsaber dancing as my exercise. I wouldn't suggest you try it at this moment." Ravelin said with a small smile. "You'd probably decapitate yourself."

The image that played out in Ravelin's head entered Obi-wan's, and he could not help but chuckle to himself. "Perhaps, I'll take you up on my offer."

"Then I'll be here in the morning."