Chapter Twenty-Three
I knew Bant Eerin well enough to realize what she was about to say wasn't good news and I held Padmé's hand supportively.
The Jedi Healer took a seat next to us on the long sofa and frowned. "I'm afraid the diagnosis isn't what we'd hoped. The fetus is deteriorating in the womb and won't survive much longer. I'm sorry."
Padmé's body flexed as if she had just received a physical blow, but then she sat rigidly still, absorbing the information with an impressive amount of composure. "Do you know the reason why?" she asked.
The Mon Calamari's long fingers rested on Padmé's knee sympathetically. "There's something in your body that's fighting against the viability of the baby. I don't recognize it, but it's a foreign substance and it's wreaking havoc. It's attacking the fetus and doing everything it can to get rid of it."
"Because the podling is part Mer," Padmé informed her as if she understood exactly what Bant was talking about.
I, on the other hand, was clueless. What foreign body? Did she have some sort of infection? Or a virus we should be concerned about?
The Healer didn't seem to be convinced, however, and prepared her own debate. "I don't believe Mer genetics have anything to do with this. You and Obi-Wan are compatible species. I don't know what's causing the damage and I won't unless I can somehow obtain a sample."
"That's not necessary," Padmé spoke with low, dull tones. Even though she wasn't revealing any sign of any particular emotion, this had to be affecting her. I know it was me. I was absolutely devastated.
"It's the serum," she continued to explain. "In the beginning, it had been meant to save the Mer, but then Sheev came along and modified it to become a punishment. The royal guard are the last known line of Mer that carry the original formula."
Obi-Wan recalled the intense gazes and strange appearance of the beings Padmé spoke of. They were Mer, but instead of having tails, they had legs, as well as webbed feet and hands. Their Mer genetics had definitely been dominant, however, in their other features such as their eyes, their spiked fins, and scales.
Padmé turned to me and attempted a smile although her eyes were full of sorrow - the only sign she was bothered by the news. "This is what I was concerned about and was trying to explain to you earlier. I was aware of Jobal's inability to bear podlings, but I guess I was hoping perhaps the Force would help me. Apparently, that isn't the case. I'm so sorry, Obi-Wan."
I refused to accept that answer. There had to be something Bant could do!
"What about using the Force to manipulate the serum?" I suggested. "Couldn't you send it into her bloodstream or something?"
"Obi." The way Bant said my name didn't offer me much hope. "The serum has infiltrated every single cell in her body. I don't think removal is possible, even with the Force. It's also very aggressive and has been a part of Padmé's systems for a long while. I didn't want to say anything since I don't understand how it's possible, but whenever I even got close to it, I felt Darkness. Whoever was responsible for introducing this into her in the first place wasn't a very nice being."
That was an understatement.
"Sheev," Padmé hissed as she crumpled her gown inside her fist to the point her knuckles turned white. "Even after his death, he's still hurting me."
"We'll figure this out," I tried reassuring her, although I was starting to think there was actually very little that could be done.
"There is one option," Bant suddenly said, which immediately offered us some hope. "If I can manage to isolate and remove a sample of it, I may be able to create an anecdote. However, if I eliminate the serum..."
"I'll become Mer again," Padmé completed the Healer's thought.
My first reaction was to protect Padmé. Her safety and security had always been my priority. However, the thought of giving her back to the ocean was something I had never considered.
"Surely, there has to be another answer," I said before I'd been able to consider much of anything.
Bant's large eyes studied me closely and I began to feel the gravity of my selfish behavior. Whatever decision was made, needed to be made by Padmé. I needed to shut my mouth and not influence her in any way. This was her life and her choice - although I couldn't help but hope she would make the same one I had: I wanted her to stay with me.
Dammit! This was something I hadn't expected! I had already grown quite used to relying upon her comfort and care whenever I'd returned from a difficult mission. I enjoyed our evenings together when would simply sit out on the veranda and discuss what was happening with our careers. What I relished most, however, was waking up with her in my arms, not caring that our skin was sticking together due to the exertion from the prior evening's lovemaking. I had never taken mornings like that for granted because deep down I didn't feel I deserved to have someone like her in my life. Frankly, I wasn't ready to give any of that up and realized it was going to be quite difficult keeping these thoughts to myself.
Once again, something convinced me that it would be best. This decision had to be hers alone. It wouldn't be right for me to try and sway her opinion. If I did, someday, she may live to regret my interference.
Either from the shock of the news or the rapid thoughts occurring in both our minds, we had both remained silent for some time until Padmé abruptly stood and thanked Bant for her help.
"Am I correct in assuming my body shall consume the fetus as is typical in Mer females?"
Bant looked strangely at her, apparently not expecting such a grim reply. "You can expect as much, yes," the healer agreed.
"Very well. Obi-Wan, I wish for you to take me to the Senate Building, please. I have an important meeting this afternoon I need to prepare for."
I recognized this type of response. I'd seen it many times on the battlefield as well as in the attitudes of others who had just experienced a trauma. She was obviously in denial, which would be fine for now, just as long as I was there when reality finally set in.
