Incident on Naboo

Obi-Wan and his apprentice, Zak, travel to Naboo at Anakin's invitation to rest and recover from the events culminating in the death of Obi-Wan's former friend...

Chapter 1 Another Gift Discovered

A powerful kick sent Obi-Wan deeper into the waters of the Naboo lake. The cool water eased the stiffness from his still-healing shoulder. He turned upwards, and two more kicks brought him to the surface. Anakin had brought him here, to the Lake Country, to rest and recuperate. He could not deny that he needed this; the recent turn of events had weakened him physically and the incident with Baylor Grant had shaken him. He broke the surface and turned over on his back, just to float for a moment and catch his breath. His eyes wandered to the beach where Zak sat, patiently allowing Anakin's twins to pour buckets of sand on his head. He felt for Zak, who had been through so much since becoming Obi-Wan's Padawan; and yet his spirit had not been broken, it had only made him stronger. He turned his attention to Anakin, sitting just in front of Padme. Anakin, the Chosen One, Obi-Wan's best friend, his brother. What, he wondered, would his life have been without that friendship? He could not imagine. Anakin returned his gaze, "Where would I be without you, brother?" Anakin asked. Obi-Wan had to smile, "Good point."

There had been a brief investigation surrounding the deaths of Lord Grel and the former Vice Chancellor, Mas Amedda. The Champalan government had initially been outraged, until the investigation revealed the involvement of the Chagrians in the plot to overthrow the current administration and the virtual destruction of the Jedi Order. The embarrassed Chagrian ambassador had then apologized for the actions of his compatriots and affirmed the loyalty of the Champala system to the Republic. Zak had been cited for his bravery for saving and protecting the life of Chancellor Organa during the outbreak of violence during the trial. Although Zak had already left Coruscant in the company of his master and the Skywalkers, a ceremony commending his actions was held. Obi-Wan had wanted to return to Coruscant with Zak, but Zak expressed no desire to go, informing his master that he had only done his duty as a Jedi, and deserved no special recognition. Obi-Wan sensed that he was still somewhat bothered by the deaths of Grel and Amedda; however, he said nothing of this to his young apprentice. Zak knew what he and the other Jedi had told him, and there was little point in repeating it. This was something Zak would have to work through on his own; and if he could not, then Obi-Wan knew he would come to him.

As to the suicide of Lord Borlac, no conclusive reason could be found; it was postulated that Borlac could not face the inevitable conviction and sentencing he would face in orchestrating the attempted annihilation of the adult Jedi population and assassination of Chancellor Organa. The mystery surrounding the deaths of the captured Clones following the arrest of Lord Borlac could not be explained. The Chancellor, still leery of loyalty of the rest of his Clone army, immediately launched an extensive and complete investigation, which included checking the records kept by the Kaminoans on the production and training of all Clones commissioned by the Republic under Chancellor Palpatine. Much to his relief, it appeared as if all the JK Clones and already been located and taken into custody.

"Time to come back in, Obi-Wan." Anakin sent, interrupting Obi-Wan's musing. Obi-Wan sighed, "Yes, master." He answered then rolled over, dove down and headed for the shore.

"What is he doing?" Anakin said aloud. "I told him to come in, not go for another swim."

"What?" Padme asked as she put her arms around his chest.

"Obi-Wan; he's pushing himself too hard again." Anakin replied.

Padme rested her head on his back and rubbed his chest.

"You're getting as bad as him; you worry too much." She said.

Anakin took her right hand in his flesh one and squeezed it.

"The problem is he worries about everyone else and not about himself." He answered.

"But he's always done that, my love; you just never noticed before." She replied.

He sighed, pulled her around in front of him and hugged her tightly.

"Well, I don't like it." He answered.

She reached up and pulled his head down to kiss him…

"I knew it." He said pulling away from her and getting to his feet. "He's in trouble."

Obi-Wan kicked hard and moved swiftly towards the lakeshore. He could feel the burn of tired muscles in his weakened shoulder, but ignored it and swam on. His shoulder began to ach, and just for a moment, he wondered if he might have overdone it. Then he could see the bottom rising as the water become more shallow. When he could touch bottom, he stood up, breathed a sigh of relieve and waded the short distance to the beach, rubbing his shoulder to ease the ache. When he reached the beach, he called the towel he had left there to him, shook the water out of his hair and beard and started to dry himself off. Anakin was standing there, arms folded, scowling at him, "Don't do that again." He said evenly as he turned and walked away.

"Do what?" Obi-Wan asked, but received no answer.

"You scared him, Obi-Wan." Padme told him as she approached.

"I what? How did I do that?" He wondered.

"He thought you were in trouble. He sensed it." She answered.

"Then he sensed wrong; I only thought…oh dear." Obi-Wan stopped in mid sentence. "I didn't know he could do that."

"What did he do, Obi-Wan?" Padme asked.

"Read my thoughts. I thought I might have overdone it; that's what he picked up." Obi-Wan replied. "He could never do that before."

"But, I don't understand; I thought he could connect with you." Padme said.

"This was different, Padme; I never sent out a call for help, I only thought I might be in trouble. I should have realized that when he…I'd better go speak with him." Obi-Wan answered before he headed over to where Anakin was.

Anakin was sitting crossed-legged on the sand watching Zak as he played with his children. They were playing a game of Force push with a ball. Obi-Wan sat down beside him. He did not look at him and he did not speak.

"I was worried about you." Anakin finally said.

"I'm sorry, Anakin; I didn't know you could read my thoughts. When did that start?" Obi-Wan asked.

"I'm not sure; it seemed like it started when Baylor got into your head." Anakin answered.

"Then I'm truly sorry. It seems I have caused this." Obi-Wan replied.

"You know, I don't think so, Obi-Wan. Master Yoda said that I have hidden gifts. Perhaps this is just another one of those." Anakin said. "Maybe I needed it then, to help you."

"So, you're finally accepting that, are you?" Obi-Wan replied.

"Some of it, yes; I still don't believe in that healing nonsense." Anakin answered.

"Well, since you seem to be able to read my thoughts so easily, I will be mindful of them in the future; at least when you are nearby." Obi-Wan vowed.

"I don't think you can do that, Obi-Wan. Then all you would be thinking about is hiding everything you didn't wish me to know." Anakin said. "It would make you crazy."

"But, Anakin; if this is what one momentary negative feeling does to you, you'll be crazy too." Obi-Wan answered. "Maybe…"

"Don't, I already know what you're thinking, and the answer is no." Anakin interrupted. "We just have to get used to this new….thing, that's all."

Obi-Wan was silent and seemed to turn his attention to Zak, playing with the twins until Padme called Zak to bring them underneath a canopy they had set up so they could nap.

"You're not minding your thoughts very well, brother. You still want to leave." Anakin said. "And your shoulder is bothering you again."

Still, Obi-Wan did not speak.

"You have always been so concerned about everyone else and think nothing of yourself." Anakin continued. "Lie down and let me see if I can work out some of the stiffness in your shoulder."

Obi-Wan turned to Anakin, his grey blue eyes staring into Anakin's deeper blue ones, "Anakin…" He started.

"Enough. For once, think of yourself and let me help you without arguing about it. Now, lie down." Anakin told him with authority.

There was the characteristic sigh from Obi-Wan before he lay down and rolled over on his stomach.

Immediately, Anakin began to massage the newly healed area where the blaster had done its damage. He seemed to know instinctively where he needed to go and let the Force flow through him to his brother's injured muscles. Then, he could feel something else…

"There's scarring here, Obi-Wan; I have a feeling you're always going to have trouble with this." He said.

Obi-Wan rolled slightly so that he could look at Anakin, "Now, how would you know that?" He asked.

"Well, I…" Anakin started, "I just knew."

"You just knew…and you still think Declan is wrong." Obi-Wan replied.

Anakin did not answer for several minutes; he just continued to rub Obi-Wan's shoulder muscles.

"Anakin?" Obi-Wan said.

"I don't know; maybe not." He finally admitted.

"Well, that's a start." Obi-Wan answered.

"I still don't think I can fix this scarring, though." Anakin told him.

"Then I guess that's just something I will have to live with." Obi-Wan answered.