Don't kill me, I got the flu, then it went into tonisillitis and then well let's just say I couldn't do much writing, but i hope this chapter makes up for it.

((hugs)) to all of my lovely readers who were patiently awaiting this next chappy.

Chapter 12

not mine don't sue

thanks as always to my beta, you rock. :P

Anakin couldn't help but smile as he listened to his Master grumble at Mari the Jedi Healer checking him over. Obi-Wan hated appearing weak in any sense, especially in front of attractive women. Anakin suppressed a chuckle. Not that I'll be telling him that anytime soon. Mari simply smiled politely at the disgruntled jedi and continued her ministrations.

Anakin had to practically drag Obi-Wan to the healers, every step an argument. Anakin couldn't remember the last time he'd heard "I'm fine" so much from anyone in his life. His Master had wanted to head straight for the Council to speak with them, Anakin had had other ideas. Obi-Wan's health was more important than anything the Council had to say at the moment. Not to mention Anakin wasn't exactly looking forward to the debriefing. A lot had happened on that planet and he wasn't sure how they were going to react to his actions. He had made mistakes but worst of all, he'd put the life of one above the greater good, something they tended to frown upon.

Anakin heard his Master trying to hurry along Mari's exam. But Obi-Wan is alive, and I wouldn't change a thing. He grimaced. Except try and get that blasted scientist to talk faster. That was his one regret, coming so close to finding the answer to the question all the Jedi so desperately needed . The identity of the Sith Lord. They had been so close he could almost taste it, he felt like the answer was right there, mocking him, but he couldn't figure it out. An odd feeling perhaps, but he felt it nonetheless.

Anakin sighed and leaned back in the uncomfortable metal chair he was resting on. Even though the chair was giving him a crick in his back and a numb rear end he was still on the verge of falling asleep. He'd been drained ever since they boarded their ship and left that Sith-hole of a planet. Post-mission exhaustion was his best guess. Whatever it was Anakin was more tired than he'd ever been in his life.

Anakin sat with his eyes closed and was half asleep when something Mari said got his attention. Actually it was more the tone of her voice that had him baffled. She sounded confused and maybe a tad worried.

"Yes Master Kenobi, it appears you're almost completely healed." Anakin eyes opened and he blinked until the Healer's black hair and round face came into focus. "Therein lies the problem, you shouldn't be fine."

Anakin tensed. Sith.

Mari continued. "Even a Jedi should not have healed this quickly from the wounds you received. The gouge in your thigh is virtually invisible, not to mention your shoulder." Her dark eyes narrowed and her gaze shifted between Anakin and Obi-Wan. "There's something you both are not telling me."

Anakin felt his Master's gaze and he met it. Within seconds they had decided to tell her, all without speaking. They nodded in silent agreement.

Obi-Wan quietly recounted the events of the previous days. The healer's eyes got wider and wider during his tale, Anakin took up the narration when it got to the part when he...died.

Anakin spilled the beans so to speak and told her all that he could remember of his encounter with Qui-gon and healing Obi-Wan. He even saw, no, felt his Master's surprise at certain moments in his tale. Anakin hadn't really told Obi-Wan everything until now. He had needed time to absorb it all himself, it was a little easier now that they were away from there and sitting safe and sound in the Jedi temple.

By the time he was done, Mari's mouth was hanging open and her astonishment could clearly be felt through the Force. After several seconds of blatant gaping she pursed her lips and appeared to be lost in thought. The Healer took several deep breaths before she inclined her head silently calling Anakin over.

He stood, suppressing another yawn, and forced his tired legs to carry him over the bed where Obi-Wan was sitting. Anakin half sat, half fell onto the edge of the bed. I need a nap.

"You're feeling tired?" she asked with an hair of suspicion in her voice.

Anakin shrugged. "Yes."

She nodded. "Give me your hand."

Anakin sat up taller and suppressed the urge to ask why. Instead, he bit back any comments and offered her his left arm.

"Now you Master Kenobi," she turned her attention to Obi-Wan. He held out his right hand to the Healer.

She placed both their hands on top of each others, and rested them on her lap. Mari closed her eyes and surrounded their hands with hers.

Anakin gave his Master sideways glance, Obi-Wan looked as confused as him. His Master gave him a lop sided grin and mouthed: patience.

Anakin managed not to roll his eyes. At first nothing happened, then Mari began speaking, but he couldn't make out what she was saying, it was a chant of some kind. Anakin's fingers began to tingle, the sensation traveled up this arm all the way to his shoulder. Then a strange heat began coursing through his body, it wasn't unpleasant, just different.

Obi-Wan was feeling the same, Anakin wasn't sure how he knew that, he just did.

Mari abruptly severed the connection she had made with them and Anakin felt slightly lightheaded as she pulled away.

When she met their curious stares she was smiling. "I thought so."

"You thought what," both Jedi asked in unison.

"Been having a lot of that lately have you?"

Umm," Anakin stammered, Well I have noticed some..." he looked to Obi-Wan.

"Ever since Anakin saved me, we have been experiencing an increase in our Master-Padawan bond. We have actually heard each other thinking in a few instances, and I have been able to feel his emotions quite vividly." Obi-Wan squeezed Anakin's shoulder briefly.

Anakin swallowed. "It's the same for me. I didn't think anything of it, I just assumed it was a temporary effect of my link with him. I didn't do anything bad did I?"

"No, no," she quickly reassured him. "But I don't think this is temporary. I've never actually seen anything like this, but I have read about several similar cases.I think when you healed your Master, Anakin, you somehow created a link between the two of you. I'm not sure how to explain it, but when I connected with both of you just now, it was as if I could see a strand of energy connecting you together."

"So we're going to be finishing each other's sentences." Anakin buried his face in his hands to hide the amusement he knew was apparent on his face. He couldn't help but see the irony in this. Just a few days ago he'd been worried that he was going to ruin his bond with his Master and it appeared the exact opposite had happened.

He felt Obi-Wan suppressing his own laughter. Anakin lifted his face and didn't bother to hide the big grin on his face. Obi-Wan was biting the corner of his mouth to keep from returning it.

Mari shook her head at he two of them, but her eyes were filled with compassion. "I see you two are taking this well."

They both let out a small laugh at the same moment.

"I am sorry," Obi-Wan offered, "It's just kind of-"

"I know." She smiled. "There is more. I also noticed some of Anakin's energy going into you Master Kenobi. I think this explains you're rapid healing abilities."

"How so?"

"Well I believe you two not only have the ability to share thoughts and feelings but also stamina, strength, and..." she let the statement hang in the air.

"Force Fire." Anakin exclaimed. "That's why I'm so tired. I've been loaning all my energy to you." He poked his Master's arm but there was nothing but affection in his words.

Obi-Wan opened his mouth but remained silent.

"Precisely. I wouldn't worry either of you, the effect should diminish shortly, since you are almost completely healed Master Kenobi. I do highly recommend a good nights sleep for both of you though."

"Sounds like good advice to me." Anakin turned towards Obi-Wan. "Not that I mind Master, you needed it more than me."

Obi-Wan's face clouded with concern at that. "I wasn't hurting him..was I?"

"No, you didn't take more than he could handle. There is much strength and power in this young man."

"Please don't, my Padawan already has a head big enough to fill up this room." The relief was evident in Obi-Wan's tone.

Anakin just smiled at her.

"You two are free to go, I would like to examine you both more later if you don't mind. This is very unique and I could learn a lot."

"I think that would be wonderful, besides I think Anakin and I have a lot we need to learn as well."

She nodded.

"For now though we are expected to give the Jedi Council a full report."

XXX

Anakin felt that nervous, punched in the gut feeling creep up again. This was not going to be pretty. Obi-Wan turned his head toward him as they headed towards the Council's Chambers.

"It is going to be okay Ani." Obi-Wan whispered as they neared the doors that appeared larger than normal today.

His words slowed Anakin's racing heart down some. He tried to smile for his Master's benefit, but the Council had never liked him. He couldn't help but fear the worst.

They stepped through the doors and Anakin prayed that his Master was right, but the look on Master Windu's face wasn't exactly reassuring.

end chapter 12

feedback is so lovely i hope you enjoyed. :)

A/N: There will probably only be one more chapter in this fic then i will start the sequel shortly after.