Disclaimer see previous.
This chapter is a bit longer to make up for the shortness of the last one.
Thank you to all reviewers keep them coming. (If you know whatGenre this story is better suited to, please let me know, thanks)
Chapter 13.
"Tira? Tira can you hear me?"
Darkness, fire, was it fire that she felt or just burning? Tira mind spun as she tried to make sense of the confusion clouding her mind.
"Tira hang on, help's coming, just hang on please."
She knew that voice, her mind becoming a little clearer.
"How is she doing?" Obi-Wan asked as he approached Anakin.
"I'm not sure. I sense a lot of confusion, it eases when I talk to her, but I am not sure what to say. Is there no more Bacta?"
"This is the last of it. There is more on the ship, but I am afraid we will have to wait until Qui-Gon gets here," Obi-Wan said as he applied the last of the Bacta to Tira's wounds and re-covered them to help stem the bleeding.
"This is my fault," Anakin said as he watched the Master work.
"Why would you think that?"
"It was my anger at her that caused me to vote against her. If we had left, this would not have happened."
"You cannot be certain of that."
"I couldn't get my Saber to work, if I had I could have defended myself and she wouldn't have…"
"Saved you life?"
"She hates me, why did she do it?"
"She is a Jedi and I do not believe that she hates you, although you do seem to rub each other the wrong way an awful lot. You mustn't feel guilty Padawan. This is not your fault any more than it is mine or Qui-Gon's."
Tira moaned.
"Tira?" Obi-Wan said suddenly turning back to her, "Tira?"
Yes she knew that voice. The cooling sensation of the Bacta on her chest had stemmed the fire enough for her to think.
"Obi…"
"I'm here."
"Ob… Ho."
"You were injured Padawan, do you remember?"
"Obi… how?"
"The beasts Tira," Obi-Wan said leaning over her, "do you remember the beasts?"
"No… Ani… How… Ani?"
"I'm here Tira, I'm okay. You saved me."
"Ok…" she whispered before slipping back into oblivion.
The rest of the night passed slowly for Obi-Wan and Anakin, as they watched over Tira.
"How long is Qui-Gon going to take?" Anakin asked as he continued to pace the cave.
"Patience Anakin, he has a great distance to travel back to the ship. That is why he went alone, he will be able to move much more quickly. He will contact us once he is there. It will take minutes after that to fly it here and then we can take Tira back to the temple. Her life force is still fairly strong, I am not too concerned at the moment."
"Not concerned! She is dying and you are not concerned. What kind of person are you?"
"Anakin! Control yourself. I said that I was not too concerned at the moment. I do fear her passing, but if it is the will if the force that she does then I cannot prevent it. Becoming angry and placing blame will only cloud your thinking. That will not help her at all."
"I am sorry Master Kenobi. I forgot myself."
"That is understandable. You will learn control in time."
"It is so hard not being able to do anything, while she just lies there," Anakin said sitting next to Tira and taking her hand.
Obi-Wan checked the bandages, "The bleeding has slowed, that is a good sign."
"Are you sure she's not just running out?"
"I am sure and thinking like that will not help. You must think positive. Qui-Gon will not be long I am sure."
Finally just as it was approaching dawn Obi-Wans' communicator crackled and Qui-Gons' voice came through.
"Obi-Wan I have reached the ship, but I may be delayed in getting to you."
"Is there something wrong?"
"Yes, we appear to have landed on unstable ground, part of the landing gear has submerged in the ground. I may be able to take off, or I may have to loosen the ground around it and force lift it first."
"Very well I will await your communicated arrival time."
"Understood."
"He's going to be delayed? Master look at her she needs help… now!"
"I know that Padawan," Obi-Wan said glancing over to Tira's pale body, still lying where she fell, covered in bandages and Bacta.
For the first time Obi-Wans face betrayed just how worried and distraught he really was. She wasn't looking good. It had been over seven hours since she had been wounded and she had still only received basic aid. He didn't want to admit it but her force signature was weakening and she didn't have much time. After a few minutes Qui-Gon communicated that he was on his way.
"I will not be able to land once I reach you, Anakin will have to help you carry her aboard while I am still in the air, I will get as low as I can."
"Understood, we'll be waiting. Anakin, gather up the gear, we will need to be quick."
Anakin nodded and turned to the packs, making sure that he had everything, he turned back to Obi-Wan, who had knelt to pick up Tira. Anakin joined him at the mouth of the cave and waited for Qui-Gon. Neither were sure which was the most relieved when they heard the engines and saw the ship pull up and begin a descent.
"We're going to have to jump," Obi-Wan said as Qui-Gon steadied the ship and released the hatch.
"You first," Anakin said as they stepped forwards.
Taking a firm hold of Tira, without crushing her wounds any more than necessary, he ran and took a leap onto the platform, nodding to Anakin, who followed, Obi-Wan went straight to the medical bay. After a few minutes Qui-Gon joined him.
"I have told Anakin to fly us home and I have alerted the temple to our return, they are awaiting us."
"Was it wise to let Anakin fly? He is not handling this very well, he is blaming himself."
"This could not be helped. I will speak with him."
Obi-wan nodded as Qui-Gon turned and went back to the cabin.
