Edit: 5/17/2020 dialogue tags fixed.
His hands shook as he carved the wood with careful strokes. He was exhausted. He couldn't see straight, but he couldn't sleep. Sleeping would only make things worse.
He blew a breath of air against the carving to brush away the shavings. A shaky sigh left Ben's throat as he leaned his head back against the wall.
The floor wasn't the most comfortable place to be, but when he fell earlier he didn't have the strength to get back up. So, he sat there in his dirty tunics in his hovel with the partially carved Fighter in his hands and continued on.
He didn't do much these days except make carvings for Luke. In total, he had only made about 10 for the boy. They ranged from different Fighters to AT-AT's to doids. It gave him something to do. He kept his mind closed off as well as he could, but made sure to keep a little part of his shields down so he could keep an eye on Luke.
Those rare moments when he did see the boy when dropping off the carvings were the happiest moments of his life. True, he never got close enough to actually touch or talk to the boy, but seeing him from a distance was enough.
It had only been 2 weeks since Ben rushed out of the home of Owen and Beru Lars. His mind and heart still ache at what he had done. He caused the family pain and it was something he never wanted to do again. Which brought him here.
He returned to his home that day and set about his business. That is to say, he took care of the vaporators and made carvings for Luke. Eating and sleeping were on the back of his mind and though he made sure to eat at least once or even twice a day, he could almost hear Qui-Gon sighing and rolling his eyes though speaking with kindness and concern.
"A few bits of stew a day will do nothing for you Padawan. You need to keep your strength up." Or, at other times when he would skip sleep (though that happened every night) and read instead saying "You will lose yourself if you keep this up. Lack of sleep has never done anyone much good. Least of all a Jedi." But he couldn't sleep.
"I can't sleep. Don't you get it? If I sleep, he'll find me." He whispered with a hoarse voice into the empty room. He expected no answer. His Master wasn't there.
No, his Master hadn't returned to Ben since that fateful day. For all Ben knew, Qui-Gon was either still keeping Vader at bay, or he had lost and was sent careening out and into the Force.
"What do I do?" Ben asked himself, finally finishing with the carving and letting it rest against the ground he sat on. He put his hands in his head and closed his eyes. "I don't know what to do next." A shaky exhale seemed to wrack his whole body. "I need to watch Luke, but I can't get too close like this. I should get off the planet and get as far away as I can. Though, again, I have to watch Luke." An unbidden image floated in his mind. It was of a baby with dark hair and big round eyes. She looked like Padme, and Ben knew instantly who it was. "Leia." His smile was trembling and his eyes watered at the thought of the other Skywalker sibling. He didn't know how Leia was or if she was starting to show abilities in the Force. "I hope Bail is having an easier go at this than I am."
As if hearing his name even though it was spoken planets away from Alderaan, Ben's comlink beeped.
His head whipped up and he eyed the flashing device with worry. Bail was the only one that had his comlink code. He was the only one that could contact him, though they both agreed they would only contact one another if it was of the utmost urgency.
Swallowing thickly, Ben put the knife he was using down and pushed himself up. The world swayed and he pressed a hand against the wall to steady himself. Once everything was still, he made his way carefully over to the device and answered the call.
Bail Organa's image was a welcome sight. Though the two had a slightly rocky beginning, they had quickly become friends.
"Bail." Ben breathed out the name and smiled widely at the man. Bail's blue, static image smiled back at him.
"Obi-Wan. It's good to see you."
Ben nodded to him to convey his similar feelings.
"Though, you look a little off, my friend."
Ben frowned. Had he been that easy to read?
"Have you been sleeping?" Concern colored Bail's voice and Ben gave him a sheepish smile.
"Something's come up." He replied. "I can't go into details."
"Can't? Or won't?"
Ben bit his lip and a sigh left the Senator's mouth.
"Nevermind that then." Ben was grateful Bail knew when to drop something. He didn't think he could go through with an explanation. "I have something important to tell you."
Ben shifted on his feet.
"Someone's coming to meet with you." Bail informs him. "They have information on the Clone's that I think you'd like to know."
Ben's heart stuttered and his vision whited out.
"The Clones?" His voice sounded faint even to his own ears.
"Obi-Wan?"
"Did you know there are Clones on Tatooine?" He couldn't hear himself over the noise in his ears. "Cody's here Bail."
Bail sucked in a tight breath.
"Are you alright?"
Ben nodded though that caused the room to spin.
"I was hidden when he questioned Luke's family. He doesn't know I'm here." Ben clears his throat and gently sits down as he tries to get the world to stop spinning. "Who's coming to meet me?" Changing the subject was something Ben was good at. He did it this time in the hopes that he would be able to breathe again.
"I can't tell you their name. Just know they're called Fulcrum. They'll be there in 1 day. Maybe 2. I've sent the coordinates to them. They'll know where to find you."
Ben couldn't hear. Why couldn't he hear?
"Ben?"
"Bail?" His vision was spotty and his world was spinning. "I think I'll have to call you back."
"Ben!" The comlink fell from Ben's limp hand.
Bail Organa watched as Obi-Wan's eyes slipped shut and his body tumbled to the ground.