Chapter Nine

not mine, don't sue.

Thanks to my wonderful beta as always. It wouldn't read nearly as well w/out her. :)

A/N: There will be (I think) three more chapters after this one then onto the sequel. If your interested I'll try to have the title before the last chapter to this fic. I'm flattered by everyone's interest. It's nice to know you like my work and are excited about a sequel.

hugs to all of you that review. I really appreciate it. It's why I write. :)

now onto the fic

Anakin couldn't stop grinning like an idiot. Obi-Wan was alive. Alive and lecturing him on the importance of honesty.

Anakin treasured every word.

It was hard to believe his Master had been barely able to breathe only an hour before. Now he was talking nonstop and also being quite the mother hen, inspecting Anakin for any wounds, making sure he ate, and asking when the last time was he'd gotten any rest.

It was nice to have a father who loved you that much. Anakin's grin got even bigger at the thought.

Obi-Wan was even walking around the room on his own. Actually he was pacing, while describing the route they would take and how they would most likely be ambushed. With the poison gone, the bruised ribs, injured arm, and gouge in his thigh weren't much of a problem. Obi-Wan had gone into a war zone with more serious injuries. His Master would be walking and holding his own for the remainder of their journey, much to his Padawan's delight. Obi-Wan hadn't seemed surprised when he told him about Qui-Gon's intervention; apparently, he sometimes thought he felt his old Master through the Force. It seemed even death couldn't keep Qui-Gon from checking in on his former Padawan.

"Anakin, really, you are worrying me Padawan."

The lighthearted sound of Obi-Wan's teasing voice jerked Anakin out of his reverie. "I'm sorry Master?"

"You haven't stopped smiling since I," he pursed his lips and seemed to compose himself, "woke up."

"And that worries you?" Anakin gave him a bemused look.

"Quite frankly I'm used to you brooding all the time." Obi-Wan crossed his arms and tried to glare at his Padawan. He failed.

Anakin stood and walked toward Obi-Wan until there was only inches between them. "Something changed Master. You see there is this stubborn and bossy man who wouldn't leave me alone. No matter how moody I was he never gave up on me. This man showed me that I did have someone to turn to, and best of all that I didn't have carry all my burdens alone. He was right Master. You could say this man saved me from myself."

Obi-Wan remained quiet for a few long seconds. "Smart man."

"Yes he is." Anakin was smiling again.

"Funny, I know this irritating, stubborn young man who saved me as well. I don't know what I'd do without him."

"I know the feeling Master."

Obi-Wan squeezed his shoulder and started to bend down to pick up the remaining pack. Anakin knelt first and handed the bag to his Master.

"Don't want you straining yourself Master."

Obi-Wan shook his head, though his eyes danced with amusement. "Respect your elders."

Anakin checked to make sure his lightsaber was secured and signaled that he was ready to head out.

Anakin followed Obi-Wan out of the crumbling home. It was still raining but he barely felt it. There were no soldiers around; Anakin's senses were at their peak, today so he relaxed slightly, allowing his thoughts to wander, but not his awareness.

Anakin felt a slight vibration emanating from Obi-Wan's Force signature. His mentor was feeling a little tired but also happy to be moving freely again without any assistance. Anakin realized that he was still picking up emotions and feelings from his Master without trying. He could only assume it was a lingering effect of their unique bonding experience. Anakin still had no idea what exactly had happened or if he could even do it again. The best way he could describe it was that he had become one with the Force. As far as he knew that wasn't possible. You had to be dead first didn't you? It was all very confusing. He wondered if Obi-Wan was having the same after effects, but wasn't sure that it was the right time to ask. I'll do it after we get off this death trap.

All Anakin knew was that things would never be the same; he couldn't rid him self of that thought. It didn't worry him, though. In fact, it was quite the opposite for Anakin found the thought to be comforting, as it seemed as if a weight was lifted from his shoulders. Then there was his amazing connection to Obi-Wan that he wasn't sure would ever fade; he wasn't even sure he wanted it too. All in all, Anakin found life to be brighter

"Anakin, calm your thoughts. I know there is much we must discuss but let us get off this planet first. I do believe we have used up our welcome and I know I, for one, am not in the mood for anymore surprises."

Guess that answers one of my questions. "Agreed Master."

Things went smoothly and they made great time for the rest of their journey back to the wooded area where they had landed their ship. Obi-Wan was walking better and better; the half-day trek seemed to have loosened up all his stiff muscles. His coloring was great, and he was feeling much stronger. Their ship was not visible from their current position about twenty feet from the tree line.

They had chosen the spot as the tall, thick trees could conceal their vessel from ground forces while the leaves had formed a canopy that would make detection from the air difficult. Combined with the mountain to the west that added additional shielding their ship was kept safe from prying eyes in the ruined, but still inhabited village behind it.

So far, so good. Anakin tried not to feel uneasy but the way things had gone so far, he was just waiting for the next surprise. Suddenly, Anakin's senses hollered a warning. He reached to grab Obi-Wan but paused when he saw his Master's drawn weapon and pinched brow.

"At least fifteen men, nervous, up ahead."

"I feel the same Master."

"Trap." Obi-Wan gave him a lopsided grin.

"Let's spring it Master."

"You took the words out of my mouth Padawan."

They crept forward, using the surrounding foliage as cover. When they reached the trees surrounded their small transport ship, they stopped and observed their adversaries. It was clear they were expecting them; how they knew they were alive and exactly where to find their ship were questions that needed to be answered.

Perhaps one of the nice soldiers will tell us. Anakin and Obi-Wan both turned and stared at each other in pleasant surprise.

"Another side effect I guess Master."

"Yes. I suppose so."Obi-Wan's grin turned playful. "Do not tell me this means we are going to be finishing each other's sentences now?"

Anakin shook his head, but didn't stop smiling. This could prove to be an interesting development. Shared thoughts and ideas. It was something to look into, but for now it had to wait.

Anakin stretched out his finely tuned senses and located three men hiding in pair of bushes to the right of their ship. Two more were near the rear.

"Anakin." Obi-Wan leaned in close to him. "You did say Dr. Kreyu was dead, correct?"

Anakin blinked. "Yes Master. Anakin's gaze traveled to the left where his Master had been observing. "I saw him with my own ey...Forcefire."

"Then why, my young friend, is he crouched behind those bushes?"

Anakin couldn't find a smart-ass remark to save his life.

Sith. I hate this planet.

end chapter Nine.

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