After a few moments, the pain in Ventress's shoulder was fading. Kenobi stopped rubbing the back of her shoulder and started to run the scanner over her shoulder.
"It seems, my dear, that you dislocated your first rib as well. On the bright side, I think your ligaments are intact." Kenobi joked.
Ventress nodded. The fight had made her tired, but she still needed to do research on the planet Courkrus. And she wasn't about to let Kenobi go to Praxis Nexus without a fight. She attempted to meditate for a few moments to help regain some of her energy,
"We should take you to a medical clinic before continuing," Kenobi said, sitting down in the chair next to her.
"I'm fine," Ventress said through gritted teeth, irritated and opening her eyes. She gave up on trying to meditate when Kenobi insisted on discussing the state of her health and went over to the computer to search for Courkrus. She was not some frail girl that needed help, and she was annoyed that Kenobi thought of her like that. Dooku had trained her to complete the job, regardless of her injuries. There were many times when she was more severely injured because of Dooku's training methods, and she could still take down most Jedi that crossed her path.
"Can you raise your arm?" Kenobi pointed out.
Ventress rolled her eyes and found the planet. It was near the Khuiumin system, about seven systems away. Ventress looked up Praxis Nexus and discovered that it was only 3 systems away, in the opposite direction. The proximity of Praxis Nexus would work against her. Courkrus is controlled by the Hutts, while Praxis Nexus was a Republic planet.
"Ventress, you can't fight with just one arm. You took me to get help, let me return the favor. It will only take a few hours and then we can be on our way." Kenobi pleaded.
"You would be surprised to learn what I could do with just one arm, my dear Kenobi," Ventress said while turning her chair around to face Kenobi smiling.
Kenobi raised his eyebrows, "I can only imagine, maybe sometime you could enlighten me."
"Shall I enlighten you now?" Ventress teased.
"I am afraid, my pet, that would require my undivided attention, and right now if we stay on this planet much longer, our power couplings will freeze, and that would open a whole new set of problems. Shall we look for a medical facility somewhere in a nearby system, and then we can continue to Praxis Nexus?" Kenobi continued.
"Praxis Nexus is a trap. Certainly, even someone with your intelligence can see that." Ventress replied, which to her satisfaction earned her an annoyed look. "We should start on Courkus. That is where our little wampa friend was from. It would make more sense for them to be on or have been on that planet. The computer says is a known pirate hangout, and the last we heard, Maul is recruiting. If they are not on the planet, it is much more likely we could find out where the savage beasts are. Pirates are loyal to the highest bidder."
"True, until you have your back turned. It may surprise you, but the Jedi have worked with quite a few pirates. I've worked with a pirate named Hondo on more than one occasion. From my experience, they are not to be trusted."
"Nor should Jedi, and yet here we are." Ventress mused.
Kenobi laughed, "Well for that matter, nor should former Sith assassins turned bounty hunters."
"I realize we would walk into a probable trap by going to Praxis Nexus. Yet, it's been my experience if one springs the trap, what you're looking for isn't too far off. Opress is injured. He will go back to his brother, which will spring the trap that much easier. He may or may not be there. We can gain information from the local people, who may be forced into working for the Maul," Kenobi said. As an afterthought, he added, "Once you get medical care."
"If we head towards Courkus, we may learn about what kind of trap we are springing," Ventress said. She was getting a headache, mostly from Kenobi being so annoyingly insistent on getting care for her shoulder. She thought for a moment, and then decided she could use this to her advantage.
"Yes, but." Kenobi started.
"I'll go to the med clinic but only if we go to Courkus." Ventress interrupted, knowing that Kenobi would give in as soon as she said it.
She watched as Kenobi put his hand on his beard, considering the matter. She smiled, knowing she won. Still, she put her hand on top of her shoulder and made a slight grimace for good measure. It wasn't hurting much anymore, especially now that the pain killers started working. She knew she was playing dirty, using Kenobi's selflessness against him and it amused her to no end.
"Shall I program the Navicompuer?" Ventress asked, trying to mask the amusement in her voice. When he didn't reply right away, she took that as a sign and proceeded to take off.
Kenobi sighed and rolled his eyes. "We'll do it your way."
Ventress smiled and programmed the coordinates to Courkus. Kenobi walked over and sat down in the co-pilot's chair. He looked through the various planets on nearby systems. Ventress didn't pay too much attention. She assumed he was looking for planets with a medical clinic. She had no plans on actually stopping until they reached Courkus. She locked in the coordinates, so Kenobi wouldn't be able to change them and waited until they were successful in hyperspace before yawing.
"I am going to meditate in the back for a few hours." Ventress lied. She was actually going to take a nap, but she still felt uncomfortable sleeping around Kenobi. She had been waiting until he fell asleep to sleep herself, even though she knew she wasn't in danger. It was a habit she had picked up being a Sith. Most of the people she worked with wouldn't hesitate to kill you in your sleep if it gained them some advantage. But the painkillers combined with her injury had made her exhausted, and she was slowly losing the fight.
Kenobi, who was still engrossed in the computer, nodded. She went back to the cabin and locked the door behind her and laid down on the closest bunk. She went over the battle in her head, what she could have done differently, what she would do differently next time. Now that his brother has taken over his training, she wouldn't underestimate Opress again. He was much more skilled with his blade this time around. She was wondering where the wampa's came from when her shoulder twinged. Ventress sighed and rubbed her shoulder for a second and then brought her arm down to rest on top of the sling. Suddenly, she remembered what had transpired when Kenobi was relocating her shoulder.
He was gentle with her, much more gentle than she expected. Then there was him, touching the back of her shoulder and the goosebumps she felt as he grazed her forearm. Why did he do that? She was pretty sure that he didn't do stuff like that for Skywalker when he was injured. It was almost intimate. And why did her body react in the way it did? It confused her. Yes, she knew that for a Jedi, Kenobi wasn't bad looking, much better looking than most of the Jedi she had fought against. She had sometimes admired the way his body moved when they were fighting, with his controlled and precise movements. Ventress drifted off asleep trying to think of logical reasons her body reacted the way it did.
"Be careful, my Child." Mother's voice warned.
"Mother?" Ventress asked, and looked around. Dathomir formed around her and a ghostly air surrounded the Nightsisters caves.
"Your thoughts betray you. They betray your sisters, and me." Mother replied, her figure appearing out of thin air and materializing.
"I haven't betrayed you, Mother," Ventress said.
"You were supposed to allow Kenobi to get close to you, however, you are growing attached to Kenobi as well. It will make it much more difficult for you to do what needs to be done to save your sisters, to bring peace."
"Attached to Kenobi? You are mistaken, Mother."
"Ventress, my child, far too long have you let others control your destiny. You claim you want freedom, yet here you are again, allowing someone to control you. What will happen to you if he kills Maul? Do you think he will let you live out the rest of your life peacefully? He offers you asylum for your crimes, but do you believe the Republic will actually grant his request?"
Ventress looked down at the ground. She knew that immunity was a long shot, not that it mattered that much. It's not like she has needed it so far. It would just make traveling easier.
"Kenobi will betray you, just as everyone else has. In the end, he will be no different from Dooku. He will lure you in, taking you before the Republic's senate to ask that you be cleared of all charges. Then, the Republic will sentence you to death, citing that you are too dangerous to be kept alive, and Kenobi cannot stop it. You will die, and your sisters will die with you."
"My sisters are already dead," Ventress replied painfully.
"Yet you have the power to save them."
"How? How can I save them if they are already dead? Tell me how if I offer Kenobi, how will this action be able to save my sisters, save my home, and have ultimate power?"
"You will have the power to resurrect them."
"I will not resurrect my sisters to become the monsters that fought against Grievous."
"They have not been dead long enough yet. Our time is running out. Every moment that you waste, the closer your sisters are to becoming those monsters." Mother said.
"Why can't you resurrect them?"
"It takes two. I can not do it alone."
Ventress thought for a long moment. Could she actually offer Kenobi? She wasn't as sure of it as she once was, but why? What had changed between them?
"Is there not another way? What if I returned to Dathomir now?"
"Maul must destroy Kenobi first. It is the only way."
"Why?"
"Time is running out, my Child. Soon your sisters will be lost forever, and the home that you once had will be gone forever. What do you think Karis would do?" Mother said, using her attachment to Karis as ammunition.
Ventress sighed guiltily. "She would do what is necessary to protect her sisters."
"Now the question is, will you do what is necessary to protect your sisters, your family?" Mother asked, and faded away. An image of a bomb going off near the caves formed in the fog, and she watched in horror as her sisters fell around her.
Ventress woke with a start. She was sweating. She looked around, grabbing her lightsabers off her belt when Kenobi rushed into the room.
"Ventress? What happened? How is your shoulder? Are you in pain?" Kenobi said worriedly.
She looked around and remembered where she was. He must have sensed her distress through the force. She was angry that she wasn't able to control it. Her dream was so real, the pain from seeing her sisters falling around her was so fresh in her memory. She felt a tear trickle down her cheek. She quickly wiped it. The last thing she needed was for Kenobi to see her cry.
"Ventress? Asajj?" Kenobi asked again, sitting down at the edge of the bunk she was laying on.
"It's nothing. I am fine." Ventress said roughly. She made to get up, but Kenobi grabbed her good arm.
"What happened?"
"It was just a dream," Ventress replied, not looking at Kenobi. "Please let go of me."
She felt him let go of her arm, and she walked back towards the cockpit when she heard Kenobi say, "It's okay to mourn your sisters."
Ventress turned around, "How-"
"I sense your attachment to them, your sadness."
"What would a Jedi know about attachment?" Ventress spat angrily. She was angry that she had gotten close enough to Kenobi that he could sense her emotional state. Angry at him for using her emotions against her, and angry at herself for feeling this way.
"You would be surprised," Kenobi said softly and looked down at his feet.
"I thought attachment was forbidden?" Ventress asked. Slowly, Ventress's anger turned more to a slight curiosity. Kenobi was supposed to be the epitome of the Jedi, and yet here he was talking about a taboo Jedi subject. Curiosity got the better of her and she sat back down on the bed next to him.
"It is, but that doesn't stop it from happening. We all have attachments. Some act on them in secret, while some pretend they don't exist."
"So the great Obi-Wan Kenobi feels after all," Ventress said sarcastically.
Kenobi said nothing for a few moments. Ventress was just about to check how far it was to Corukus when he started talking again.
"I have and continue to have attachments. Some days it's harder than others." Kenobi quietly replied, looking over at Ventress. Ventress looked back when he didn't continue and made eye contact. Kenobi suddenly glanced at something on the wall. She saw something in the look he gave her that almost reminded her of an affectionate longing.
"Who?" "Is?" Ventress stammered, confused by the look he gave her. Surely he wasn't talking about her. She continued to look at him, trying to figure out what the hell he was talking about.
After a few awkward moments, Kenobi said, "So, what kinds of weapons does this ship boast?"
Ventress gave him a funny look and awkwardly replied, "Um, some cannons and a torpedo launcher. Why?"
"Oh, well, if we got into a spot of trouble..." Kenobi eluded.
The awkward silence returned. Kenobi looked like he was going to say something a few times, but thought better of it and stared at the wall instead. Ventress wondered what Kenobi was up to decided to stare at the wall as well. It was better than watching Kenobi, who had made her feel nervous. She wondered if the head injuries Maul gave him had made him insane. Then she remembered some of the looks he had given her recently. Surely he wasn't attached to her, a woman not only wanted to kill him in the past, and may soon lead him to his death. She certainly wasn't attached to him in any way. She respected him yes, attached to him was a different matter entirely.
"Look Ventress, I would be upset if anything happened to you. That's it." Kenobi offered, meeting her eyes as she looked over at him again.
"So you have an attachment to me?" Ventress questioned, wondering about Kenobi's sanity. She could not believe that she was having this conversation with this man. She wondered why a man who had something to say about everything was at a loss for words. No one had looked at her the way he did now. His eyes had the same look he had given her a few moments ago. People normally looked at her with terrified or angry eyes.
Kenobi didn't answer and looked down again. That was all the confirmation that she needed.
"Why?" Ventress asked, still confused state. Why, out of all people in the galaxy, was he attached to her?
After a few long moments, Kenobi replied, "I don't know."
Ventress was silent, and minutes passed, and neither one of them talked. She was trying to wrap her brain around the conversation they were having. It was surreal. Two former combatants talking about a taboo Jedi subject, in which she is directly and unwittingly involved. Finally, she broke the silence, "Were their others you had an attachment to?"
"Ventress, I really don't want to talk about this anymore." Kenobi half pleaded, still not meeting her eyes.
"You're the one who brought it up." Ventress retorted, annoyed. She got up and walked out to the cockpit, wanting to be anywhere but next to Kenobi. She needed to sort out what just happened, but as soon as she reached the pilot's chair she heard Kenobi's footsteps behind her. She sighed and sat down in the chair, watching the viewer. Kenobi took the seat next to her and they sat quietly for a long while, watching the light dance across the screen. She was grateful for the silence. It gave her time to sort out the conversation they just had. Part of her thought he was just trying to play with her emotions so he could gain something to be used against her in the future. Yet, part of her that wanted to believe him. She didn't know why but, what did it matter since she wasn't attached to him? Well, maybe she was slightly attached to him if she was honest with herself. Why else would she have risked her life by saving him when they were fighting Maul, then took him to the medbay, or even helped him on this mission? She also wondered if the hesitation to go through with Mother's plan was because of this slight attachment she apparently had. If she was forced to do this mission Skywalker and his little obnoxious little pet she wouldn't have hesitated in the slightest. She would have probably killed Skywalker before they had even left Coruscant. Ventress was just imagining impaling Skywalker with her own lightsabers when Kenobi once again interrupted her thoughts.
"Anakin and Qui-Gon for the obvious reasons. Ashoka, since in many ways she is my padawan just as much as she is Anakin's. Then there were two others, Siri and Duchess Satine." Kenobi sighed.
"Who are they?" Ventress questioned, hoping to put the pieces of the put together. This would be perfect ammunition against him if she needed it, but as soon as the thought that she felt guilty that she would use the information against him. He was being honest with her, not many people did that. But would that stop her? She didn't know.
"Siri and I were padawans together. We were young and stupid, and we fell in love, well, what one would call love when you are 15 years old. We only acted on it once, and then we drifted apart,"
Kenobi paused before continuing, "Duchess Satine was a different story. I was older and nearing the Trials when Qui-Gon and I were assigned to Mandalore for a year during their civil war. It was my duty to protect her. She was brash, annoying, and headstrong in her ideals. It was just the two of us. We spent many nights hiding in various locations, arguing, having discussions on politics, philosophy, and whatnot. After about six months, I cared deeply for her and she reciprocated. When the war ended, and it was time to go back, I thought about leaving the Order to stay with her. Ultimately, I continued with my training and she became the leader of Mandalore. It was one of the hardest decisions I had to make."
"Why are you telling me this?" Ventress finally asked.
"You asked," Kenobi replied.
There was another long pause, as Ventress pondered where she fit in on this little list of his. Surely he didn't desire her as he did the others. She never was his student or part of the order. They had met on the battlefield and she had tried to kill him the first time they met. She tortured him. How could he have any sort of attachment to her? Was it because of all the times they have tried to kill each other? In the past, when she fought Jedi, she tried to taunt them, but most Jedi were too focused on the battle, or too serious. Kenobi was different. He was willing to play her little game. Their battles were significantly more exciting, and much more rewarding, especially when she was able to wipe that smirk off his face. In many ways, killing Kenobi would have been her greatest victory.
Then she remembered what happened on the platform when they first set out on this little mission. He had taken the time to learn about her past. Maybe his attachment wasn't because he respected her, maybe it was because he pitied her. She, for one, didn't need anyone's pity. Yes, her life was full of deceit, lies, and betrayal, but that had made her into the person she was today. She was strong, independent, proud, and deadly. Who did he think he was to pity her?
"Where do I fit in on this list? The person I pity? I don't need your pity, Kenobi." Ventress said, looking back at him once again, anger flashing in her eyes.
"Asajj," Kenobi paused and looked at the viewfinder for a moment. Ventress watched as he turned his head back towards her and stood up and faced her. The anger in Ventress's eyes faded back to bewilderment. He never uses her first name, and now it's been three times in one day now.
"I…" Kenobi started.
Beep Beep.
The ship was dropping out of hyperspace. Ventress looked at the computer. It was going to take a full day to reach Courkus, and she knew she hadn't slept that long. Much to her annoyance, Kenobi had reprogrammed the computer to come out at Capza.
"Kenobi," Ventress warned.
"It was part of the deal. Consider us even now, if it makes you feel better." Kenobi joked, and he seemed grateful for the change in subject.
"Hopefully, the next time the wampa will just kill you, and I can continue in peace." Ventress retorted, which made Kenobi laugh. Ventress smiled in return.
Beep Beep.
"This is Commander Tiric Organ. Please identify yourselves."
"My name is Harko Zadean. My wife Leesea is in need of medical attention. She has dislocated her shoulder. I request to land at your medical facility for treatment, and then we will be on our way."
"Please send your credentials." The commander replied.
After a few moments, the commander said, "Permission Granted. You may land on pad 28. It is the closest we have to our medical facility. You may stay as long as you need."
"Thank you, Commander."
It only took a few hours for the pain in Ventress's shoulder to completely disappear. The clinic fixed her ribs and the overly stretched ligaments. She would never admit it to Kenobi, but she felt a lot better after her trip to the med clinic. Kenobi had taken the time to restock the ship and make a few repairs. The ship had suffered some mild damage on Yellowblade's Landing from the extreme cold. Ventress found him on the landing platform, directing a supply cart onto the ship.
"So, how long do you anticipate this little adventure of ours lasting?" Ventress asked.
Kenobi chuckled as the delivery guy exited the ship. "How are you feeling?"
"Good enough to defeat you." Ventress teased.
"Is that a challenge, darling?" Kenobi asked, clearly amused.
"I highly doubt it would be a challenge." Ventress laughed.
"Ah, your overconfidence will be your downfall, my sweet."
"You wish," Ventress called back as she entered the ship. She wanted to see how much longer it would take them to reach Courkus. She found they were further than she originally thought, about halfway. It would take about eight hours to reach the planet. She wondered how awkward those next eight hours would be.