----------------------------------------------
The storm outside raged on for weeks. In those weeks, Obi-Wan, Sarah, and Anakin came to know each other deeply. They would talk all day. Obi-Wan and Anakin would tell Sarah about what it was like to be a Jedi, about training, and about the principles of the Order.
Anakin fixed and updated everything and anything in Sarah's home that was mechanical, and Obi-Wan would meditate every night, waiting, wondering.
On a stormy night a month into their stay, Obi-Wan awoke in the middle of the night. There were subtle changes in the Force, and Obi-Wan felt confused. He decided to go and make himself something hot to drink in the kitchen.
When he walked in, he saw Sarah sitting on the counter gazing out the window. "The storm is easing," She said, "I can see it the sky."
Obi-Wan did not know what to say. He sat on the other end of the counter facing her and he followed her gaze into the night sky. "I can feel the Force changing Sarah. Something is happening."
Obi-Wan looked deep into her blue eyes and he saw something that he had not seen there before. There was a trace of deep sadness, of longing. "Would it sound crazy if I told you that I think I feel it also?" She asked Obi-Wan.
With over 20,000 midi-chlorians? I would hope that she would feel it. "Not at all," he told her. He did not know where he wanted to take this conversation, and they sat in silence for what seemed like hours, until the smallest traces of dawn began to reveal themselves in the sky.
"I'm glad that I was able to meet you and Anakin," Sarah told him. "Sometimes on a stormy planet like Roden, it can get lonely." She gave Obi-Wan a sad smile, pain shining in her eyes.
"How did your parents die, Sarah?" Obi-Wan did not know how she would respond to the question.
She only looked in his eyes briefly and then tipped her head to stare out the window. After a long while, she looked back at Obi-Wan. "They were killed. By the former leader of Roden." A new fire was burning in her eyes.
"Why do you think that I worked so hard for justice Obi-Wan? Why do you think that I formed the Shadow League? I wanted revenge! All I wanted was for my parents to be alive again! Why do you think that I stayed on this Force-forsaken planet?"
Tears were beginning to form in her eyes, shining brightly. She took a deep breath and looked at Obi-Wan straight in the eyes. "All I want to do is get off of this horrible planet! I want to do something with my life! I got my revenge. I worked so hard for it, and in the end, I had never felt so empty." She looked away, tears streaming down her face.
Obi-Wan was quiet. He could feel her pain. He could feel the small thread of a bond beginning to form, and he knew what he had to do. He was listening and Qui-Gon was practically speaking straight into his heart. Sarah Walterr was the Padawan that he had always hoped that he would have. He could feel the bond strengthening as the seconds ticked by.
Obi-Wan stood and laid a hand on her shoulder. "Do you want to be a Jedi?" He could not believe what he was asking. He felt as though he was in someone else's body instead of his own.
Sarah looked up at Obi-Wan. She gave him another sad smile, and looking out at the sky where the sun was beginning to rise and illuminate the still falling rain, she said, "I'm glad that I got to meet you Obi-Wan Kenobi."
"Come back to Coruscant with me and Anakin. I will bring you before the Jedi Council." He looked at her not knowing what it was he was hoping to see. "You can't stay here Sarah. The Force surrounds you. You could be a great Jedi. I cannot let you waste your life on this planet when you could be so much more!"
Sarah did not respond. All she could do was gaze out at the rising sun. "Please think about it Sarah. I feel it deep inside my heart that you are meant to be a Jedi." He gave her one last meaningful look and left her alone in the kitchen. He leaned against the door outside the kitchen and ran a hand through his hair. He tried to urge her through their bond. "I feel it my heart Sarah," he whispered, hoping that the Force would carry his words to her.
-----------------------------------------------
By the time the sun had fully rose, the wind had died down to a gentle breeze and the rain was no more than a mere sprinkle. Everywhere, citizens of Roden were stepping out of their homes, grateful to be outside again. Some were simply enjoying the sunlight, others were inspecting the damage to their homes and to the rest of the city.
Inside of Sarah's home there was tension. Obi-Wan had contacted the Council with a heavy heart to tell them that he and Anakin would be soon returning. While he set to packing, the door to Sarah's room remained closed.
Finally, their bags were packed, their transport ready, and it was time to go. Obi-Wan gently knocked on her door. "Sarah, it is time for us to leave." His head hurt tremendously when he spoke these words. With no reply, he knocked again, a little more firmly this time.
She finally opened the door, looking weary and exhausted. She gave Anakin a smile and a quick handshake goodbye, and Anakin went to load their bags onto the transport. When he was gone, Sarah threw herself into a hug with Obi-Wan. "Sarah, please-"
"I can't Obi-Wan, I'm sorry." She was avoiding his eyes.
Attachments are a path to the dark side young one. Obi-Wan reflected that Qui-Gon's advice was beginning to sound more and more like Master Yoda's. He gave her another hug and said, "I'm truly glad to have met you Sarah."
"I will miss you Obi-Wan Kenobi." She gave him another cheerless smile still not meeting his eyes.
Obi-Wan turned and slowly walked out of the house. When he glanced back, Sarah was standing in the doorway. She gave him a small wave good-bye. Obi-Wan sighed and walked sadly to the transport. He couldn't believe that he was simply walking away. I have a bad feeling about this.
-----------------------------------------------
