There was an undercurrent of something in the air, had been since he had left his quarters in the morning. But every time Obi-Wan tried to focus on it with the Force it seemed to skirt away. It seemed as if the men could sense it to, shifting more often than usual and eyeing each other.
The Force cooperated enough for Obi-Wan to assure him that danger from a Separtists attack wasn't intimate. After the attack the day before, the Separtists seemed to have left the immediate area and Obi-Wan had yet to receive further instructions from the Jedi Council.
He was grateful that his men had a chance to rest, recover, and mourn their fallen brothers.
Unfortunately for himself, he still had reports to fill and maps to go over. All to soon there would be another battle, more lost brothers, and Obi-Wan would tell himself that someday the Jedi would return to being peacekeepers in the galaxy.
"Excuse me General, can we talk a moment?" came the voice of Cody over his left shoulder, breaking Obi-Wan out of his thoughts.
Pausing in looking over the new maps showing fleet movements, Obi-Wan turned to face his Commander. "Yes Cody? What is it?"
Cody seemed to chew on his words and Obi-Wan felt the same undercurrent again. He had a bad feeling about it.
"Sir, the men have begun to worry about you," Cody finally said, looking at Obi-Wan with worried filled amber eyes.
Obi-Wan immediately felt guilty. It was his job to be worry about his men, not the other way around. He wanted to project the image of the unflappable Jedi Master, obviously he was failing.
"I'm fine Cody," Obi-Wan tried to reassure the Commander.
But he was shocked when Cody reached out and grabbed him by the shoulders, forcing the Jedi Master to look him in the eyes.
"No! You are not fine Sir," Cody ground out, not letting go of Obi-Wan. "You are running yourself ragged, you need to take care of yourself."
"I take care of myself," Obi-Wan insisted as calmly as he could. "There is no need to worry Cody."
Cody's shoulder's slumped and then Obi-Wan caught his eyes flicker to something behind him, and Obi-Wan turned just in time to see the face of Kix before he felt the pinch of needle entering his neck.
For a brief moment, Obi-Wan felt panic. His own men were attacking him! But the Force rushed to him, surrounding him in warmth and calm.
"It's alright General, just relax," Cody assured Obi-Wan as he reached out to steady his General. And then it hit Obi-Wan, he wasn't being attacked, he was being drugged to sleep.
The effects of the medication hit him almost instantly as his head went light. He was vaguely aware of falling forward and Cody catching him before being pulled into unconsciousness.
"Kriff, what did you give him Kix!" demanded Cody around his armful of Jedi General. A man that suspiciously weighed less than he ought to.
"I've loaded him up with enough tranqs to keep down a Gundark," Kix said happily. "He should get at least eight hours of sleep, more if we are lucky."
"He's going to be pissed," Rex commented, coming out of hiding to help Cody.
"Come on, lets get him to the barracks," Cody said picking up the General's torso.
It was easy for the two clones to carry the small General between them to the clones barracks, where all those who were off duty hung out. The Kenobi Squad had spread the word that their General would be joining them to get some much needed rest. Still it was a surprise for Cody and Rex to see that their brothers had been busy.
The bunks had been pushed back against the walls and in the center of the room, a giant nest of blankets and pillows had been constructed.
Cody and Rex carried Obi-Wan to the center of the nest before going to the edge and removing their armor. In their blacks they returned to Obi-Wan.
"Cuddle pile!" called out Fives. The vod needed no other invitation. Brothers from both the 501st and the 212th all jumped into the nest. The need for more blankets and pillows grew as more and more came. Soon the entire barracks was bedded down surrounding their General.
It was a relaxing day for the clones, as they took a moment to laze around talking, napping, and watching over their General.
Cody was taking the time to do some of the General's paperwork on his datapad while said General was snoring lightly with his head in the Commanders lap.
Rex was leaning against Cody's shoulder typing out a message to Ahsoka, updating her on the Kenobi situation. It hadn't taken a full week when they first shipped off for Ahsoka to demand Rex to update her how Obi-Wan was doing and how the clones should keep a close eye on him. She was an unofficial member of the Kenobi squad.
Rex had a feeling that Ahsoka knew something she wasn't saying about the General. Just by the way she asked about how the General's mental health seemed to be. While Rex tried to be as truthful as possible. A part of him held back the seriousness of the whole Kenobi situation. There was nothing Ahsoka could really do and if she knew how bad Obi-Wan had run himself down, she might come running. Where Ahsoka came running, Anakin wasn't far behind. Anakin didn't need to be in anymore trouble and cause his probation period to be extended. It would be further damaging for Obi-Wan in the long run.
With a sigh, Rex looked down at the sleeping General. There didn't seem to be any right answer in how to help their General. It always seemed to be the case with this particular General.
The moment of peace was interrupted by Waves, the clone in charge of every incoming communication signal to the ship.
"Commander, Captain. The Jedi Council is calling, they wish to speak with the General," whispered Waves casting his eyes down at the still sleeping General.
"Is it a full War Council?" asked Cody setting down his pad.
Waves shook his head, "No, it appears to be just General Yoda and General Windu. I think they wish to discuss the last campaign."
"We are not waking him for that," Rex said venomously.
"Rex," Cody warned glaring at his brother.
"Don't Rex me Cody. Unless it's the Sith Master knocking on our door, I'm not allowing anybody to wake him!" hissed Rex.
"Well then I suggest you come with me to appease the Council then," huffed Cody as he gently lifted the General's head out of his lap.
A frown appeared on the General's face at the lost contact and a small wounded whine came from his throat. It was a sound that had all the clones in the area want to jump up and protect their General from whatever caused that sound to escape him.
"Fives, Echo, get over here," motioned Rex standing up. "Cuddle with the General until we get back.
The two clones quickly came over before any other could claim the spots. "Aye Aye Captain," Fives said with a smile as he laid down besides the General and immediately pulled the smaller man in to cuddle him.
Rex couldn't help but shake his head at his brother's antics before following Cody to their stripped armor. It was a matter of minutes for the armor to be put back into place and making their way to the bridge.
The pale blue forms of Master Yoda and Windu were waiting for them when they stepped onto the bridge.
"Kenobi, you are not," Master Yoda said obviously, looking at the two clones with what could only be described as a twinkle in his eye.
"The General is currently occupied at the moment," Cody said smoothly, looking straight at Master Windu. "But he sends his regards."
"What is he occupied with?" demanded Master Windu. He didn't seem amused, but when had Master Windu looked anything besides serious?
"That is on a need to know basis, and you do not need to know," Rex said simply. "He will call you back when his task is complete. If you wish to discuss our past mission, Commander Cody and I can give you a briefing."
Windu and Yoda exchanged glances with each other that the clones could not decipher. Though they seemed to come to a decision.
"Your report then Commander, Captain," Master Windu said leaning back in his chair, fingers steepled in front of him.
The first thing Obi-Wan noticed as he drifted towards awareness was how warm, comfortable, and safe he was. It reminded him of his Padawan days, when he and his Master slept close to each other during missions. The second thing he noticed was the sound of breathing, snores, and soft voices all around him which immediately set him on edge. Opening his eyes swiftly he came face to face with a clones, turning to the side, he saw another. In fact he was surrounded on all sides by clones, many of them were sleeping.
Obi-Wan first instinct was to find some way to crawl out of the mess of bodies. But he hesitated, it was actually pretty nice to be surrounded by the clones. He felt safe, for the first time in a long time he felt protected. Almost like he deserved to be protected. Blinking he realized that the last time he felt like that was probably his crèche days and maybe his late Padawan days.
As almost sensing his grief the Force lay over him like a giant blanket, increasing the feelings of safety and comfort. Obi-Wan's eyes began to droop, sleep calling for him. For once since this war started, Obi-Wan didn't fight the call. But allowed the Force to lead him into a deep healing sleep.
Those in the Kenobi Squad released a big breath of relief that their General had fallen back to sleep.
Sid-Ney reviewed his case notes. Anakin was making great progress in their sessions. One of the key points was to work slow with Anakin. Never trying to push Anakin to reveal more than what he was comfortable with.
They had moved up to Anakin's early Padawan days, and how he came into the Order colored his interactions with the rest of the Order. He had a large chip on his shoulder due to his background as a slave.
But what was more worrying was the unspoken problems that Obi-Wan displayed. What was the innocence observations of child, was worrying for the mind healer. The stories of Obi-Wan making dinner for young Anakin, but drinking a simple cup of tea. Or how Anakin remembered Obi-Wan always being awake when Anakin tried to sneak out. Though only part of the picture, Sid-Ney would bet all his credits that young Obi-Wan had been depressed, not just simply suffering from grief.
By the end of Anakin's probation, Sid-Ney was determined to bring this issue before the Council. He would recruit every mind-healer in the Temple, as well as the normal healers. He would not rest until Obi-Wan was given a full examination, both physically and mentally. And when the war was over, he would demand that every Jedi who spent time in the field to spend time with the Mind Healer. It was time for the Jedi to stop ignoring their mental health. The Force could do many things, but simply trying to release their emotions into the Force was not healthy.
It was time for a revolution.
I hoped you enjoyed!