Mace had just entered his quarters after a particularly stressful Council meeting (Skywalker seemed good at making problems where there previously were none) when he felt the Force pulse in concern. It didn't take a genius to figure out why he would be sent that feeling.

He followed it quietly and carefully. It landed him outside the fresher and Mace winced at the sound of retching coming from inside.

Yesterday had been kind and fun. Obi-Wan was able to be himself and spend time with the crechelings. The Force had been lit up and warm the whole day, and Mace knew that everyone in the Temple could feel the warmth.

There had been a few close calls with Obi-Wan's shields, (Mace had been diligent in monitoring them) but nothing terrible happened that day. Yes, Obi-Wan was exhausted by the time they had to leave and Mace practically carried the man back to their temporarily shared quarters, but he was happy.

Today seemed to be the opposite.

Mace stood outside the fresher for a few minutes as he thought about whether to go in or not. His choice was made when another round of retching was heard through the door. He didn't knock and he didn't give Obi-Wan any warning before he entered.

Obi-Wan was a sobbing, sweating mess on the floor. His face was pale and his hands trembled as they grasped the edges of the toilet. He was kneeling and Mace knew that his still-healing knee would be aching at the end.

"Obi-Wan?" Mace kept his voice low as he crept closer to the shaking Master. A wet sniff was accompanied by Obi-Wan opening bleary eyes.

He squinted at Mace against the harsh lights of the fresher. He thought he had turned them off, but perhaps-

"Your head?" Mace asks, kneeling down next to Obi-Wan and receiving a tight nod. Mace didn't get up, but he turned off the lights using the Force and it earned him a sly smile from Obi-Wan. Mace rolled his eyes and sighed. "Don't tell Skywalker." A raised eyebrow made Mace adjust the sentence. "Or Yoda."

A huff that was passed off as a laugh escaped Obi-Wan before he whimpered and clenched his eyes shut.

"Sorry." He rasped as he swallowed against another bout of vomit.

"You're aware there's nothing to be sorry about, right?" Mace inquires as he inches closer to Obi-Wan's slumped form. "As I said before, these things happen. You're not going to get better in a day. You leaning over my toilet and puking your guts out is not your fault." He speaks softly and lifts a hand to rub against Obi-Wan's sweaty back.

Obi-Wan moans and his forehead scrunches. Mace feels the tensing of his back and braces himself for another onslaught of vomit. Mace doesn't leave his friend. He stays and gives Obi-Wan the comfort that he needs.

Once this bout of retching is over, Obi-Wan slumps further and almost bashes his head against the toilet. Mace is quicker than Obi-Wan's failing muscles and he manages to keep him upright. He leans Obi-Wan against the wall and grabs a cup to fill with water. He helps Obi-Wan's shaking hands hold the cup as he drinks then spits into the toilet once more.

"How do you feel?" Mace knows it's a stupid question. He can tell how his friend feels just by looking at him.

"Better," Obi-Wan replies in a whisper. He's leaning against Mace and trying to calm his shaking body.

It's quiet in the fresher as Obi-Wan sucks down air and Mace runs a soothing hand through Obi-Wan's sweat-damp hair.

"You need a shower," Mace says teasingly as he continues the soothing motion. Obi-Wan huffs a laugh and nods against Mace's shoulder. "Do you think you could handle one?"

Obi-Wan is quiet as he takes stock of his body. He won't really know until he tries to stand. He says as much to Mace and the other Master helps Obi-Wan rise from the cool floor to stand on shaky legs. Once Obi-Wan is sure of his balance he nods to Mace who releases the other Master from his hold.

Through some miracle, Obi-Wan manages to stay upright through his own will. So, Mace leaves Obi-Wan to shower.

Outside of the fresher, Mace sits on his couch. It's his last day on Coruscant before he's set to leave. He knows Obi-Wan will be safe in the hands of whoever is on the list (he doesn't have it memorized, unfortunately), but he can't seem to quiet the worry running through him.

He doesn't know how long he's been thinking before Obi-Wan is exiting the fresher, dressed in clean tunics and tabards. His eyes sparkle with an underlying sense of exhaustion.

The couch sinks under the added weight of Obi-Wan.

"What happened?" Mace asks, flicking his eyes over to look at the other Master.

Obi-Wan shrugs and keeps his eyes on his hands. His fingers tangle together as he thinks.

"I attempted to meditate," He admits with a soft smile. He looks at Mace before continuing. "Apparently I'm not able to do that."

Mace can hear the underlying tones of what Obi-Wan wants to say (He knows Obi-Wan. He knows Obi-Wan wants to tear himself apart and say that he's useless if he can't even meditate. Mace knows what happened on Zigoola. He knows about the rain.) and he shakes his head.

"What did I tell you?" Mace questions, his eyes never leaving the other Jedi. "What did Master Che tell you?"

Obi-Wan slumps his shoulders and lowers his eyes once more.

"It'll take time." He replies. "I won't be better today or even tomorrow. I have to let my recovery happen as it feels it needs to." Obi-Wan sighs and looks at Mace with wide eyes that scream vulnerability. "Mace, what if that never happens?" His voice is shaky and his eyes brim with tears. "What if I'm never able to touch the Force like I once could?" He'll be kicked out. He'll be gone. He'll go to the AgriCorps and stay there this time. What use is a Jedi who can't even-

"If that happens," Mace stops Obi-Wan's thoughts. "Then you will always have a place here." His voice is hard and leaves no room for argument. He inches closer to the distraught man next to him. "We will not kick you out."

Obi-Wan flinches. His shields are weak and he wasn't sure if his thoughts had broadcasted or not.

"You are a great Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi." Mace's voice radiates tenderness and support. "You will not lose to this. If you cannot reach the Force as you once could, then we will keep you. Just because you can't use the Force doesn't mean you are any less of a Jedi. It's still there. It's never going to leave you." Mace stops Obi-Wan from speaking when he sees the other Master open his mouth to fight the words leaving Mace's mouth. "You may not lead an army, but you are one of the brightest minds this Order has seen in a long time. Your place is with us." Mace doesn't pretend to not see the tears slipping from Obi-Wan's eyes and down his cheeks. "You will always have a home with us as long as the Force wills it. And Obi-Wan Kenobi?" Mace's heart breaks just a bit when Obi-Wan lifts his tear-stained face. "The Force loves you. I think it'll allow you to stay with us for a very long time."

If Mace's last day on Coruscant for a while ends up being spent in his quarters with Obi-Wan, then so be it. He didn't lie. He wouldn't lie about how the Force feels about their child. He wouldn't lie about Obi-Wan place in the Order. He's meant to be there. And whatever being keeps trying to take Obi-Wan from them?

Well, Mace has a few choice words for them.