Edit: 5/17/2020 dialogue tags fixed.

2 days after Ahsoka arrived, Ben was feeling slightly better. He still felt shaky at times and would often need help with stairs. He cursed himself for his predicament, but deep down he knew it was his own fault.

He let his fear consume him and it got him sick. He was so worried about Anakin finding him and about Qui-Gon protecting him that he didn't think about himself and what it might do to him and others around him.

Thankfully, he was able to sleep. Ahsoka stood watch over him most times, but he could also feel the shields Qui-Gon built around his mind. He knew they would hold for some time. He just hoped they would last for a longer time than they might.

"Thank you," Owen whispers to him. Ben raises an eyebrow and meets the other man's eyes.

"What for?" He couldn't think of any reason Owen would have to thank him. He's done nothing but worry the man. Surely he can't be thanking the Jedi for that.

"The toys. For Luke." Owen smiled at him with deep gratitude that Ben felt in the Force. "He loves them." The two turn to watch Luke on the ground. He can't do much more than slightly pick them up, but Ahsoka's on the ground with him almost every hour of every day helping him play with them. "We found the one on the floor in your hut," Owen says as he rummages through the bag at his feet. He pulls out the Fighter Ben had been working on before his talk with Bail, and before his untimely slip into unconsciousness. Owen hands the small Fighter over and Ben turns it over in his hands. He smiles softly at the unfinished toy. "I thought you might want to finish it."

Ben looks back up at Owen and nods.

"I would like that very much."

"Ben!" Beru yells for him from the kitchen. "Your commlink is going off!"

Ben cocks his head and rises from the couch. He wobbles slightly as the world goes gray, but Owen's got a grip on him as he gathers his balance. Ben smiles weakly at the taller man and makes his way slowly to the beeping comm. Bail is the only one that would be calling him, and Ben can only wonder in slight fear about why he would be calling.

Ben sits at the table and answers the comm. Bail Organa fills his vision and Ben has the mind to smile sheepishly at the cross man. Bail's arms are folded in front of his chest and he's got a slight glower on his face that Ben grimaces at.

"Hello, Senator Organa. What can I-"

"Obi-Wan Kenobi." His voice is deadly calm and Ben curls into himself. "I don't know what's been going through your head, but I'm sure it's been nothing good."

Ben shifts and coughs to clear his throat.

"Bail, dear, don't stress him out." Breha Organa's soothing voice calms Ben's nerves slightly. "You know he didn't mean to."

Bail seems to deflate a little.

"You're right."

"I know."

Bail rolls his eyes and smiles at Ben who flashes a smile back. "I was worried about you. I couldn't see it, but I knew you were paler than usual. I could see the bags under your eyes and you looked tired. When you collapsed, I feared the worst. What's happened?" Bail's voice is tinged with concern.

Ben feels guilt wash over him immediately.

"I've had a problem with my mind." He begins softly. He knows Bail can pick up on the words he's speaking. "One night, I was sleeping."

A scoff leaves Bail's mouth.

"That's hard to believe." The Senator mumbles and Ben rolls his eyes playfully.

"Yes, I know." Ben chuckles and relaunches back into the tale. "I thought I was dreaming, but I wasn't. It was much worse. Anak-" Ben cuts himself off and clears his throat. His hands are clutched together tightly and pressed between his legs. "Vader was there. He was trying to get further into my mind. I could feel him pressing deeper and deeper. It was cold and dark and I couldn't do anything. I fought off the dark as best as I could." Ben shakes his head. "He sent out the Clones to every planet. He's trying to find survivors of the purge, but-"

"He wants you."

Ben squeezes his eyes shut, but nods his head. Bail releases a shaky breath.

"He has no idea where I am, but he sent Cody after me. He said that Cody would be able to find me." Ben shrugs his shoulders. "I should have guessed that. Cody's always been good at finding me." He opens his eyes and looks at Bail. "Vader doesn't know I'm on Tatooine. That's what he was trying to find out. He didn't get far enough into my mind. My former Master showed up just in time. He's built shields to help keep Vader away."

Bail nods as he takes in the information.

"Are you alright now?"

"I'm doing better. That's why I haven't been sleeping. I was worried he would find me. I didn't know what was going on in my mind, so I didn't risk anything."

"You're being looked after, though, right?" The concern in Bail's voice warms Ben's soul and he smiles brightly.

"I am. Owen and Beru have been very kind to me. I've been sick and as much as I hate to bother them-"

"They don't think you're a bother."

Ben inclines his head and laughs a little.

"No. They think I'm an idiot."

"I don't blame them." The two laugh a little before Bail sobers up. "Did she find you?"

Ben knows who he's talking about and the Jedi straightens up.

"Yes. She's here with us now. She told me what she knew."

"What are you going to do?"

Ben bites his lip and doesn't meet Bail's eyes. Bail knows the man too well and just sighs. "You're going to try and save Cody." It's a fact. It's a statement and Ben doesn't reply to it. "Just be careful. We can't lose you."

Ben furrows his brow.

"Not in anyone you seem to think." Bail's eyes are hard and Ben berates himself for thinking the thought. "We're not keeping you around for bait." Ben winces as his thoughts are spoken. "We're keeping you around because we care about you. We want to keep you safe."

Ben softens a little and smiles at his friend.

"Thank you. For everything." Ben says, warmth radiating in the words.

Bail shakes his head and breathes out a laugh.

"May the Force be with you, old friend."

"May the Force be with you, Senator." Organa's image fizzes out.