Warnings: SLASH, M/M

Beta: Hannurdock

Summary: AU. Angst/Romance. Feelings change, as Anakin helps Obi-Wan recover from his torture on Rattatak.

Author comments: This is a SLASH piece, you have been warned….twice LOL! Critique welcome … but no flames!

Disclaimer: These characters belong to George Lucas. No infringement is intended and I make no profit from this….what so ever.

"Against All Odds"

Chapter One: Desperate Plea

Showing total disregard to the rules and oblivious to the startled gasps of his fellow Jedi, Anakin raced through the corridors of the Temple. He was heading towards the healer's wing, his heart pounding in his chest. His body shook vigorously and each hard step almost sent him falling forward, overbalanced.

All coherent thought had left his mind the minute he had received the Holonet call, the day he had awaited for months had finally arrived. The call that he had been pleading for had finally answered his desperate wish - night after night he had prayed to the Force, to bring his Master back to him.

Anakin growled with frustration as he willed his body to go faster. Although he was running at full speed the world around him seemed blurred, as if he was moving in slow motion. Hot tears of frustration and worry were forming in the corner of his eyes, but he held them back. He could see the huge heavy infirmary doors in sight as he rounded the corner, so close but yet so far away. He pushed his body hard, using all of his physical and Force strength to increase his pace.

Anakin had not waited to hear the end of the Holonet conversation. He had instantly dropped the comlink the minute he had heard Obi-Wan's name. An odd occurrence one might think, but in that instant all Anakin could think of to do was to run, run to his Master. It was a habit that had formed long ago in his earlier life, when a nightmare had woken him up. Obi-Wan had never said anything to him during those nights; he had just smiled sleepily at his Padawan and pulled back the covers, gesturing for Anakin to climb in. It was a show of affection that may have been frowned upon by the Council, but Anakin did not care. Looking back in hindsight it was a comfort for both of them, Obi-Wan having just lost his Master and Anakin missing his mother.

Anakin pushed through the doors of the healer's wing, tripping slightly as his cloak was snared by the closing doors. Growling, he pulled his cloak free tearing off a piece of the fabric in his haste.

"Master Windu, Master Yoda," he panted skidding slightly on the hard surface as he halted. "Is he…" Anakin closed his eyes, drawing in a deep breath in anticipation.

"Alive your Master is, barely."

Anakin felt a rush of relief course through his body and exhaled heavily. For months the Council had told him that Obi-Wan had been killed. Anakin had never accepted it. Deep down inside he had known intuitively that his Master was alive. For weeks he had pleaded with the Council to do something. But his demands had fallen on deaf ears.

"You told me he was dead. You told me the explosion had killed him. You…"

"Anakin!" Mace interjected

"You left him out there, all that time. Alone" Anakin countered squaring up to the elder Jedi.

Mace stood his ground. "Stand down, Skywalker."

Anakin moved in closer, staring deep into the eyes of the elder Jedi. "You make me sick." he growled, his voice low in his throat.

"Control your anger, you must!" Yoda shouted, slamming his walking stick down hard.

Anakin fought to regain control. He could feel his anger burning in the pit of his stomach; the adrenalin flowing through his veins. He closed his eyes and reached out into the Force, seeking its calming presence. He didn't know who he was angry with the most. Mace, who in Anakin's mind represented the ignorance of the Council, or himself for listening and almost believing.

He drew in a deep breath, holding it for a moment before letting it flow back out of his body. Still trembling a little he turned inquisitively back to Mace. "What happened?"

"Alpha's report says that both he and Obi-Wan were captured and taken to Rattatak."

"What's on Rattatak…?"

"Asajj Ventress' Stronghold"

"Ventress!" Anakin hissed. He did not wait to hear the end of Mace's debrief. Instinctively, he ran towards a room on the right just halfway down the long corridor.

When Anakin burst into the room he gasped and staggered backwards in shock. His anger gave way to grief and he dropped to his knees. His Masters emaciated form lay unconscious on the bed. Obi-wan's body was covered in bruises and seeping bacta strips. His life signature barely a flicker in the Force. Anakin closed his eyes tightly, struggling to keep control of his emotions. It was a futile effort, he brought his arms up to his face and he cradled his head in his hands as he sobbed.

"I'm sorry," he whimpered, "I'm so sorry."

Anakin was so lost in his grief he didn't feel the presence of Yoda behind him. The younger Jedi started when he felt the light touch on his shoulder. He snapped his head around, wiping away the tears, so he would not look weak in the eyes of the Jedi Master.

"Control your emotions, you must, young Skywalker," Yoda said softly, sympathetically. "What is done cannot be undone. If blame you seek, only more pain will you find."

"Yes Master," Anakin nodded. He took a few deep breaths in and out focusing on releasing his emotions into the Force. To his surprise he felt greatly calmed, the touch of Yoda's hand on his shoulder connecting him to the Force more strongly than usual. "Thank you, Master." Anakin smiled as he rose up to his feet. Feeling a lot stronger now, he walked across the room towards the bed.

Anakin took Obi-Wan's hand in his own. Squeezing it tightly he bent his head down to place a small kiss on Obi-Wan's temple. Exhaling slowly as he drew away, Anakin whispered softly into his Master's ear.

"I may have left you on Jibiim, but I will not leave you now."

Calling over a stool using the Force, Anakin sat down with his hand still wrapped around Obi-Wan's. He smiled as he wiped away a few stray auburn strands from his Masters eyes.

"If you don't wake up, I'll kill you myself," he murmured softy.

"How many times have I told you not to stand outside in the rain, Anakin?" Obi-Wan moaned as he handed the warm cup of Jeru tea down to his sweat slick Padawan. He adopted his most serious 'Master' look, although he was amused by this strange obsession Anakin had with water.

"Thank you, Master," Anakin said sheepishly, inhaling the steam coming off the hot sweet liquid. "It was not my intention to make myself ill, I just wanted to get…wet."

"Well my young Apprentice. Now you have me waiting on you hand, foot and finger. Sometimes I think you do this for fun. Just to see how much I can tolerate from you." Obi-Wan chided.

Anakin smiled, "Now you know how I felt as a slave. Please could you run me another shower? I feel all sticky and I feel cold."

Obi-Wan arched up his eyebrows, amusement evident on his face, although he tried to hide it. Anakin loved to tease him when was ill, to pull at the sympathy strings. "I think you had enough fun getting….wet, Anakin. Drink your tea and try and get some sleep. You can shower in the morning."

Anakin woke with a start when he felt a warm touch on his shoulder. Blinking, he regained his focus and saw the tall frame of Healer Zee standing over him, a cup in her hand.

"Here drink this," she said as she offered him the mug of steaming hot tea. "If you're not going to eat, I insist you drink something." She chided, nodding to the plate of untouched food on the bedside table.

Anakin brought the cup up to his noise, inhaling the sweet scent. A smile formed on his lips as registered the familiar smell. "I was just dreaming about this," he said, looking up to see a confused expression on Zee's face.

"You were dreaming about…tea?" She asked, slightly amused.

"No, I was dreaming about the time I spent two hours standing in the rain. I caught the most Sithly cold and Master Obi-Wan had to stay up all night looking after me. He hated being at my beck and call and I milked it for all it was worth." Anakin smiled as he recalled the look on Obi-Wan's face.

Healer Zee smiled and ruffled Anakin's hair as she turned to Obi-Wan. Going through her daily checks, she took note of his vitals and tended to the numerous injuries the elder Jedi had sustained.

Anakin watched her closely, waiting with bated breath for a report. It had been two days now since Obi-Wan had been brought to the healer's wing. He had not left his side, save for a few minutes to visit the fresher when he absolutely needed to. Sighing he waited until Zee had done all her checks, hardly daring to hope.

"Any change?"

"He's not getting worse, and his injuries are healing. Only time will tell, young one."

Anakin flinched at the words. Only Obi-Wan called him 'young one' and he bit his lip hard so as not to retaliate. He gazed at his Master, feeling a sense of helplessness and guilt. "I wish there was something that I could do," he whispered.

Zee smiled at him sympathetically, laying her hand on his shoulder. "You being here is all the help he needs. Talk to him, encourage him with your words."

"That's all I've done for the past few days. I've recalled every single story I can remember, even teased him about his fear of flying. I joked about the time we chased Zam through Coruscant…" Anakin trailed off, unable to continue as pain tugged at his heart. He swallowed hard over the lump in his throat.

"That's all well and good Anakin, but have you tried really talking to him, through your bond I mean."

"I haven't been able to feel him through our bond…I don't…" Anakin's voice trailed off again

Zee tightened the grip on Anakin's shoulder. "That doesn't mean that he's not here." On the last word she placed her other hand over Anakin's heart and let a few moments pass before she left the younger Jedi alone.

Anakin, having set aside his tea on the bed stand, took his Masters hand in both of his own. Although the bond had been severed when Obi-Wan had been captured, his force signature remained. Anakin turned all of his attention to that single, small flicker in the force and with as much strength as he could muster he called silently to the sleeping Jedi.

'Master…Obi-Wan.'

'ANAKIN!'

The word raked through Anakin's mind, tearing him apart from Obi-Wan physically and psychically. Anakin stumbled backwards on the stool, saving himself at the last minute before he toppled over completely. Shaking with shock, Obi-Wan's plea echoed around his mind. It sounded so desperate, so fall of fear. Nothing like the calm serene voice of his Master.

"Obi-Wan?" he asked, taking hold of his Masters hand once again. The touch seemed to burn, even through his mechanical hand. Something was trying to stop him from connecting to Obi-Wan but Anakin hung on despite the pain that was flowing through his arms. If this was the way to bring his Obi-wan back, he would endure it.

He deserved it.

Ignoring the blistering sensation flowing through his limbs, Anakin closed his eyes again tuning into Obi-Wan's force signature. He pushed himself towards it.

Semi-consciously, Anakin was dimly aware of his body, his physical body, falling over the bed.

TBC.