Chapter Six: About the Future...
Master Siri Tachi's funeral fast approaching, and with it much change. Padmé Amidala is to be moved to Coruscant, Ahsoka Tano is to soon be fully recovered...but the day of the funeral itself brings an unexpected guest...
"Here."
Anakin stared blearily at the styrofoam cup that was held in front of his nose, then stared at the person that was offering it. He forced a smile, taking the cup carefully and taking a sip. "Fuck that's hot."
"It came straight from the cafeteria."
"You could have told me that."
"You could be smarter, yet here we are." Sabé sat down beside him, crossing her legs and nudging his shoulder. "She's gonna be okay."
"What if she isn't?"
"What if she is?"
He sighed, glancing at the doors thirty feet from them. Given that Padmé was being transferred to Coruscant medical in two days, the surgical team had decided to remove her feeding tube, which unfortunately meant yet another surgery. It was a harmless procedure - but still...he knew the risks...what could happen if the hole refused to close and the contents of the stomach continued to leak into the bloodstream after two weeks.
"You spend too much time worrying about the future."
"You don't?"
Sabé shrugged, taking his caf he was still holding loosely in his hand. "Distracts from the present Skywalker - a bad idea for a bodyguard."
"Yeah...yeah, Obi-Wan used to say something like that."
"Did he now?" She did her best not to make a face - like Anakin noticed really - and sipped at the caf. "You heading back to Coruscant for the Jedi funeral next week?"
"I'll...well, provided that Padmé is on track to leave, then yes."
"Have they figured out what exactly Padmé has or -"
Anakin scratched at his chin, feeling rough stubble beneath his fingertips. "Sort of...the Reeska root acts kind of like chemo - doesn't kill it, but puts it into remission. But given that the Virus was airborne and I poisoned my own wife with a nightshade - it basically triggered a mass response in her autoimmune system."
"Explain in stupid."
"Funny." He looked towards the doors again, twisting at his wedding ring. "She is recessive gene carrier for several autoimmune diseases...the Virus triggered all of them."
"Oh my god...and there's no -"
"Maybe? We don't know...she's seems to be improving...I have to get genetic counseling too...umm." He let out a harsh sigh, pressing his palm into his brow. "We're meeting with a fertility specialist before we leave - doing, uh - things."
Sabé swallowed hard, and leaned her head against his shoulder. "She'll be okay - modern medicine is pretty good."
"There's a bacta shortage -"
"You two live on Coruscant."
"Master Kenobi can you please help me escape?"
Obi-Wan shook his head, glancing at the clone captain before setting the class materials down beside the bed. "You have four more days, Ahsoka - I'm plenty sure you can survive."
"I'm bored."
"You're still coughing up blood."
"Only a little - it's mostly green now."
"That is too much information Commander."
Ahsoka scowled, throwing a pillow at the clone captain and rolling her eyes when he caught it. Out of all of the people affected by the Virus - well, besides Padmé Amidala - they were the only ones left in the Healing Halls.
She was, for lack of a better term, feeling trapped and restless and bored.
"Four days - plenty of time to catch up on your homework." Obi-Wan was not blind to the scowl that he received, and busied himself around the area. "Need anything? Tea, more blankets?"
"Your password to that subscription service?" Rex asked wryly, leaning on his pillows and chuckling at the look he was given. "Fine, I'll ask General Vos - I know you two share it."
Confused by the conversation, Ahsoka pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders. "Can you get some actual food for us? Something that's not crappy -"
"I heard that!" came the voice of Madame Vokra while she passed. "You may!"
"Bacon?" Ahsoka called back.
"Lean meats, Padawan Tano- lean!"
"Croissant?" Rex shouted.
"Unbuttered!"
Obi-Wan smiled, settling a hand on the padawan's shoulder. "Cheer up - you're healing fine, given what you've been through."
"How's Senator Amidala doing General?"
"Hmm? Oh, I presume she's fine. Nubians are probably just taking extra precautions."
He remembered the first time a Jedi had died - well, he more of felt it. He couldn't have been more than three or four then, still in the clans, unawares of the hard life outside the walls of the Temple. How dangerous. How utterly pointless what he learned really was.
The Temple didn't prepare him for the galaxy. The real, wonderfully horrible galaxy they all lived in.
It was quiet, walking towards the steps of the Temple. Surreal. He remembered leaving these steps only a few short years ago.
What did you even wear to your former master's funeral? Ferus glanced down at his army fatigues, feeling his Jedi cloak hit his ankles with every step and his lightSabé r click against his hip.
Beside him, Roan squeezed his hand.
Oh yeah - do you bring your husband to a Jedi funeral?
Ferus let out a long held breath, squaring his shoulders and looking straight ahead. He didn't need an introduction or to announce himself - the Temple guards knew who he was. Managing a smile, he nodded to each of them while they passed.
"Holy shit," Roan muttered while they walked in. He gazed around, staring at the high ceilings and white pillars. "You never told me it was this - "
"Ferus Olin?"
Shit.
Ferus turned his head, his surprise flickering onto his face. He had seen the holos, seen the man from afar but - wow. What a thing a few years, a padawan, a war, and probably an ill-hid affair with a certain Senator could do to someone.
"Anakin - long time no see."
"Yeah...you're looking well." Up close, Anakin Skywalker look like shit. Sure he had filled out, become a man instead of a boy, stood firmly on his feet - but he looked haggard and tired, barely able to keep a smile on his face when he shook Ferus' hand. "Wish we could have met again under different circumstances - I heard your firm was doing okay. I keeping meaning to drag my padawan to it."
Who the hell let him teach? Ferus gave a smile, and gestured to his husband. "This is my husband Roan."
"Fast found a husband huh?"
"Sorry - I must have burnt your invitation."
"Pleasant as always Ferus - the Temple doesn't miss you."
"Well the one person who did is dead so...tough."
Roan cleared his throat, glancing between them. "Shall we proceed? I would hate to miss something so few have the privilege of viewing - circumstances withstanding of course."
Adi Gallia was the first to notice them enter. She nudged Master Eerin beside her, whose eyes widened in shock.
A slow quiet filled the large chamber. It was eerie, how many people were becoming awares of him. There was Master Kenobi of course, standing around Master Vos and Master Muln. Masters Luminara and Biblia were near them, with Masters Fisto and Secura leaning into each other. The Council and Madame Nu was there of course, most of the generation that Tachi and Qui-Gon had grown up with too. A small Togruta was there too, standing beside a pale look Senator Amidala. He refused to let his eyes linger on the still, dead body of Siri Tachi in the center of the room.
"I brought a guest," Ferus managed, finding himself looking at Master Yoda and Windu. He raised the hand that was joined with his husband, very clearly revealing his wedding band. "Hope you don't mind."
"I think they'll make an exception," Anakin muttered wryly in his ear while passing, walking towards the assembled.
Master Yoda raised his bushy eyebrows while he hobbled towards them. He folded his hands over his cane, staring up at them. With a sigh he beckoned Ferus to kneel.
"Master Yoda?"
"Truly your master's padawan, you are," Yoda murmured, putting an arthritic hand on Ferus' knee. "Late you were - send Skywalker we had to, to retrieve you."
Ferus couldn't help but laugh a little, the tears coming to his eyes. He wiped at them quickly, remembering Yoda's many lectures about showing emotions and being surprised when the aged master only smiled sadly.
"Grieve, you should - but let go, when you must."
Author's note: hello there, my dears :D
The aftermath of the funeral next chapter - so sad, but I needed Ferus in here. I really did. This fic wouldn't be complete without him. Maybe I'll squeeze in Satine somehow...some Cody too ;)
Enjoy and prepare for feels. Mmm, so many feels. I enjoy making myself sad with the pain of fictional characters
ii Digestive Reader ii