A/N - So so sorry that I haven't updated this before! Been super busy getting ready to go back to uni... Again really sorry about leaving you guys on the cliffhanger! Here is the conclusion and thanks again for all the reviews!


Anakin's cry reverberated around the tainted walls of the temple. He screamed at the manically cackling form of Dooku, screamed at the unjust fate of his Master. He yelled loudly in outrage of it all, cried out in disgust over the fact that such a faithful servant of the light could have such a brutal end. Anakin Skywalker roared at the force itself in fury and rage over the unfairness of it all. This was not the way things were meant to be, he could feel that this future was never meant to pass. A future where Obi-Wan and he did not grow up together was not right so Anakin Skywalker changed it.

One minute he was just yelling out at the injustice of fate but in the next everything in the room simply exploded. Rubble and debris rocketed away at alarming speeds, the walls and ceilings shook so violently from the shockwave that support beams crashed around him to smash into a million pieces. Stone statues were obliterated and crumbled beneath the strength of it, whatever it was.

Dooku's saber was only inches from Obi-Wan as the shock wave hit, the ex-Jedi was lifted off of his feet and the sound of his laughter ceased to exist as all air was stolen from his lungs. Anakin realised absently he was still sprinting towards the scene, as he ran he noted how much like a rag-doll the Sith Lord looked like as he was thrown far away from Obi-Wan. He heard the sickening crunch of Dooku's bones crack as the man impacted with the far wall before crumpling and falling to the stony floor, facial features frozen into a state of shock and wondering why in the force Obi-Wan still seemed to have his head attached.

It took Anakin a few moments to realise just how this had happened, how this miracle willed from his own mind. He did not know why but he knew that he was responsible for this, he was the reason Obi-Wan was still alive. Now more than anything he had to keep it that way. His eyes locked with Obi-Wan's very still body, rather too still for Anakin's liking. As he tested the bond he found it still blocked, Obi-Wan was shielding it probably thinking he was still about to die the Jedi had prepared himself for death after all. As Anakin got closer he realised his Master was barely conscious which would explain the stillness, Anakin actually flinched as he pressed through to their bond and felt just a slither of his Master's agony. He gulped as he realised how much misery Obi-Wan must be in and strove to send as many healing energies his Master's way as he could manage. Truth be told Anakin felt rather drained after his melding with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan…

Anakin heard Siri's voice call out to him to stop, along with Mace's. Anakin would never stop not when his Master needed him. He did feel the shock radiating from the pair at the scene and knew they were not more than a few meters behind him now, perhaps Master Windu was seeing the truth of Obi-Wan's loyalties. Anakin hoped this was the truth but in any case he would not allow anyone to hurt Obi-Wan again, that included the entire damned Council.

Anakin came to a skidding halt just beside Obi-Wan and took up a protective stance in front of his Master, not willing to allow the man he loved as a father become an unnecessary casualty of this battle. He could not cope with losing somebody close again, without Obi-Wan there would be no-one. Anakin never wanted to find out what that felt like.

He heard Obi-Wan moan and shift behind him and just willed for the wounded Jedi to stay put, he didn't have to worry long about Obi-Wan moving as he caught sight of him. Anakin wasn't sure if his Master even could move if he wanted to. He swallowed the hateful thoughts brought on by seeing his Master so broken and abused, thankful that for now at least he was still breathing, from Dooku's livid face the Sith still intended to change that fact.

"Skywalker…" The Sith Lord spat like a curse, already striding towards the pair of them with his saber still lit.

Anakin squared his shoulders and stared directly into his opponents blazing eyes, accepting the challenge without question

"I told you once before, you won't touch him…" Anakin growled dangerously as Dooku's pace did not falter.

Anakin prepared himself to draw on the force again if that's what it came to, there was no way he would stand by whilst Dooku exacted his revenge. Thankfully before he really had to draw on reserves Anakin spied a blur of cloth travel over head to land in front of him. He immediately drew back to protect Obi-Wan with his own body, unaware of the newcomer's intentions. He caught a flash of purple and knew that the man now standing between them and Dooku was Master Windu, Anakin was grateful the Jedi Master had been able to stay so close on his heels, even if he hadn't felt that way earlier when Windu was shouting at him all the way through the temple…

"See to your Master, Anakin, we will deal with this." Windu didn't turn as he spoke, his instruction was crystal clear though. It was non-negotiable and to be acted out immediately without question.

For once Anakin did not argue as he agreed with Master Windu, he had no desire's to exact his own vengeance on Dooku not when Obi-Wan lay here bleeding and hurting, alone. His Master was more important than his own desires. Before Anakin turned his back on Dooku he at least had the slight pleasure of witnessing the ex-Jedi look rattled and more importantly worried, the Sith was not stupid. This many Jedi and with the likes of Windu and Yoda appearing it was not likely the Sith Lord was going to be walking away from this fight.

Anakin finally registered Master Windu's use of the word 'we' as when he turned more Jedi were racing towards their position, saber's ready and face's grave. The evil temple was having the same effect on all of them, the sooner they could leave this tainted place the better. He heard the clashing of sabers angrily behind him which confirmed Dooku's pride came before all else, the man would never surrender willingly.

He crouched down beside Obi-Wan just as Siri skidded to a halt above him, he looked up into her eyes and saw the inner battle occurring in her own mind. Love or duty… With tears pricking her eyes she knelt down beside Obi-Wan and for one second Anakin thought she really had chosen Obi-Wan, the question she asked of him however confirmed how dedicated Siri was to being a Jedi. Even with Obi-Wan lying here like this she had still managed to put aside her feelings and do her duty.

"Where did the Witch go?" She asked gently careful not to jostle any of his injuries as she ran a hand through his hair, indicating the pair had been very intimate previously in their lives.

"Out…" Obi-Wan managed to splutter and point towards where Ventress had escaped too.

Tears cascaded down Siri's cheeks so she viciously wiped them away as other Jedi approached, brushing her hand once more across Obi-Wan's face. Anakin figured the gesture itself held so many hidden meanings, it was obvious to him how hard Siri was finding leaving Obi-Wan, having to release her personal feelings.

"Look after him."

Anakin looked into her pained eyes and nodded, not being able to manage words anymore as the shock of everything truly caught up with him. Siri nodded took in a deep breath and stood to take off after Ventress, a small group of Jedi following her into the temple. From how tightly Siri was gripping her saber hilt, Anakin realised perhaps she may not have released all of her emotions, he felt sorry for Ventress if Siri ever caught up with her…

His attention snapped back to Obi-Wan as he choked out words, not sounding healthy in the slightest.

"Where's Dooku?"

Anakin couldn't help but smile gently as he witnessed the classic expression Obi-Wan adorned when he was confused, the furrowing of his brows. His Master was clearly in shock and extremely confused as to why he was still here, Anakin wasn't clear on that either to be honest.

He glanced behind him to see Dooku and the Jedi had moved rather far away now, the Count was surrounded on all sides by the most powerful Jedi in the entire order. The ex-Jedi was being forced into a corner literally as Mace and the other Master's rained down on him continually. Anakin had no doubt that the man would be taken down soon, as he watched the saber play he realised the Jedi intended to take Dooku alive. They were being far too reserved for any other scenario.

"We don't have to worry about him anymore," Anakin answered truthfully and gripped Obi-Wan's hand to strengthen their connection, he was still sending everything he had to his Master as Obi-Wan's reserves had been depleted entirely.

A genuine smile spread across Obi-Wan's face at the words and then the most amazing thing happened, Anakin heard his Master laugh. Even though it probably looked mad to an outsider Anakin couldn't help but join in with his Master's joy, they had been on quite an adventure and the fact that they were both alive was quite frankly a miracle. Well mostly alive in Obi-Wan's case.

Anakin sensed the approach of healer's and thanked the force that Obi-Wan would be getting the help he so desperately needed soon, as much as he wanted to help his Master he was almost at the end of his strength too. He dropped entirely to the floor as a disturbance in the force almost floored him, the sudden re-appearance of an old friend was most welcome all the same though.

Obi-Wan grinned warmly as he looked between his Padawan and his Master, feeling thankful and so very lucky that he was still here to enjoy such a moment. The ghost of Qui-Gon smiled down proudly on both Jedi, his legacy. Obi-Wan chuckled as he recognised the look his old Master was giving him, the look he had received many times during his own tutelage. The 'I told you so' look, Obi-Wan didn't mind one bit conceding defeat on this one as Qui-Gon had been right and Obi-Wan couldn't have been happier with the outcome. He and Anakin would live onward and become stronger, they had so very much to learn after all and they would do so together as they were always destined to.

Obi-Wan allowed his weary eyes to close as rest beckoned insistently, Anakin's hand remained gripped in his as he fell into a much needed healing trance, the smiling faces of Qui-Gon and Anakin being the last thing in sight before he fell with arms wide open into the light. Perfection.


Obi-Wan's next conscious thought occurred some time later, from the heaviness of his limbs he deduced it had been quite a long time. He drifted between a sleep state and dozing as sounds increased around him and he could actually feel a physical bed beneath his back. He tentatively reached out to the force, hoping above all else that he would not find the dark side tainting everything it touched like it had back in the Sith temple. He shook his head clear of cobwebs as the thought conjured up an image of Sidious' decapitated head rolling towards him, he did not need a reminder of that. The gruesome debacle would stay with him for quite some time…

The force was inviting and warm as he basked in it's currents and relaxed, he felt his muscles strengthen and aches cease and even better his eyelids and limbs did not feel so heavy any more. He risked peeking his eyes open only to have to slam them shut when too much light was there, it was far too bright and he was forced to smile gently when the irony was not lost on him. There could never be too much light.

He pried his eyes open once more only this time taking things more slowly, squinting until his eyes adjusted to the new light levels. He had spent so long in the dark, literally and metaphorically that the new surroundings were indeed striking and blinding at the same time. Eventually his sight was restored enough to recognise his surroundings, although really he had already known where he was all along. He was home.

The Jedi temple was somewhere where he felt truly safe, hundreds of fellow Jedi roamed the halls which only added to the purity of the ancient structure. He could feel so much joy and contentment that it immediately had him in a good mood, a mood which could not even be toppled by the new-found knowledge that he was in the med-bay. For once in his life he did not allow the little fact that he was stuck in the healer's care diminish his elation over being home, there were many times in the mission where he believed this would never come to pass…

'Anakin!'

His thoughts flew to his Padawan and for one second thought the worst as he struggled to connect with the boy through their bond, his anxiety soon dissipated however as he spied the mop of blond hair to his left. Clearly the healers had doped him up on quite heavy painkillers to make his mind as cloudy as it was, his thought processes even seemed slower, everything seemed fuzzy.

He reached out towards the sleeping Padawan and revelled in the comfort of just being this close to Anakin and being safe, rejoiced in seeing Anakin alive and unharmed. The boy stirred slightly as Obi-Wan's hand found his head, Anakin leaned into the touch subconsciously recognising who it belonged to. Obi-Wan grinned as he heard his apprentice murmur something incoherent before a smile spread across his face, a smile of contentment. Anakin could too feel all was well, it was a loving moment.

Obi-Wan didn't have the heart to wake his sleeping apprentice as he looked so peaceful, it was better to let the boy have some rest whilst he could. Anakin's clothes were rumpled and his hair was in disarray indicating that he had not left Obi-Wan's side since Moraband, Obi-Wan groaned inwardly as he realised Anakin had probably disobeyed many orders along the way and he would have to deal with the headache it caused. That was for another time though, in the present they both had to concentrate on healing. They had both been through so much, too much. At the thought his damaged limbs made themselves known, flaring at his sudden movement to reach out to Anakin.

He hissed and readjusted his position until his injured arm stopped shooting daggers at every in-draw of breath, the saber wounds had been deep and would most likely leave scars. He guessed that there would be many scars that would remain, impossible to erase entirely with the events being so weighing in nature. His right arm hung in a sling and thick bandages clung to his thigh, the worst wound that he had received. It had been Dooku's last strike upon him and was delivered with such malice that Obi-Wan could almost still feel the darkness clinging to it. The agony caused by trying to shift his leg informed him with not such subtly that he would not be leaving this bed anytime soon, the healers wouldn't let him out on that leg until many many bacta baths had been undertaken.

He wrinkled his nose at the smell which he could now identify as bacta goo, the sticky substance always clung to him even after being dunked. He had already been in at least once it seemed, it had obviously done wonders for his other scrapes and burns which didn't flare in the slightest anymore. The healer's at the temple were certainly skilled in their field, Obi-Wan was grateful for the aid he had grown weary from the ever-growing list of injuries. If only the nightmares and darkness were as easy to wash off with bacta, Obi-Wan had a feeling that they would stick with him for quite some time.

'They will pass with time…' Qui-Gon's voice floated into his mind, falling back into teacher mode without a second thought.

Obi-Wan chuckled softly thinking quite loudly that Qui-Gon always had to have the last word, he was rewarded with hearing a rich chuckle in his mind which could only have belonged to the Jedi Master. It certainly was going to take some getting used to having Qui-Gon in his head again…

Obi-Wan was pulled from his mind as the door swished open to admit a very welcome guest. He grinned from ear to ear as Siri Tachi strolled in with drinks in hand, which she had to fight very hard to keep control of when the shock of seeing Obi-Wan awake made her jump out of her skin.

"You're awake!" She managed to squeak once the beverages were saved, it was unusual for Obi-Wan to see the blonde haired Jedi off guard but he always relished the times he did.

"Clearly."

The sarcasm was usual between them, they relied on the humour to keep conversations away from their pained past. He laughed as she looked affronted over the flippant remark, familiar fires of a challenge being kindled in her crystal eyes, Obi-Wan had seen the gaze many times before when the pair had been duelling. As much as he loved her company he was rather surprised to see Siri here, he had felt her upon Dooku's ship but the question was how much had she seen?

"You're lucky I have a soft spot for fragile men," Siri countered and took up the seat to his right, careful to not wake up Anakin in the process.

Obi-Wan raised his brow and plastered a look of mock hurt over his features, the act only caused Siri to laugh at the display. Obi-Wan basked in the richness of her laughter, she was such a pure soul… Soon his hand was in hers and levity was knocked out of the way by her serious features, they could joke around all they wanted but they both knew how close this one had been. There was no hiding from it this time.

"It's good to see you," He spoke solemnly as an air of melancholy threatened to drown the both of them.

"You too…" There was a pained look in her gaze and oddly a flash of guilt, what did Siri have to feel guilty about? She had kept Anakin safe when he could not and had earned his undying gratitude for a feat so difficult.

Soon the guilt was gone replaced by a tantalising gaze which warned Obi-Wan he had to keep his wits about him if he did not want to suffer another defeat.

"You weren't worried were you?" Obi-Wan teased, already knowing the real answer but also knowing that Siri was far too proud to admit it. How could she not have been worried when he had been worried himself?

"Of course not, Kenobi…" She bantered feigning indifference, they both knew better than that though.

"You really got yourself in a mess this time didn't you, Ben?" She continued to gibe whilst playfully poking his chest.

He feigned that the action hurt which of course it didn't, but the faked grunt and grimace had Siri fuss over him and start to apologise quickly. When he caught her eye she worked out the ploy and hit him for real this time which ironically did hurt, there was quite rightly no pity afterwards. They both had wide grins spread across their features as they teased, this was why he had always been close to Siri, she understood him. Connecting with her wasn't a task or a chore. Being with Siri; loving Siri, it was more natural than breathing.

"I didn't go looking for trouble I assure you," He finally answered defensively.

Siri raised her brow and smirked, "No, it just seems to find you…"

Obi-Wan shook his head over the statement, she had always mocked him for getting into trouble and ending up in here. Perhaps there was some truth to her words after all… She offered some water which was when Obi-Wan realised how so very thirsty he was, after accepting the offered refreshment gratefully his eyes slid to encompass all of Siri and something twigged. The ruffled clothes, hair in disarray, dark circles under her eyes like Anakin, she had stayed here by his side too. Obi-Wan felt a strange sensation flutter in his stomach as his mind connected the dots, one he hadn't felt since the pair were teenagers. Siri had stayed by his side.

"You didn't have to stay you know." He gripped her hand kindly as the natural embarrassment of being caught in such a position tainted her cheeks a lovely pink, Siri never liked to show her feelings openly.

"I wanted to," she finally replied causing Obi-Wan's smile to widen further. "Besides I couldn't very well leave Anakin alone. That's quite the remarkable Padawan you have there, Obi."

They both looked to Anakin who was still sleeping peacefully through their conversation, too exhausted to be stirred by something so trivial as words between old friends.

"You don't know the half of it…" He heard himself mutter.

Siri's curious gaze bore into his until he was forced to meet her inquisitive eyes, she had clearly sensed that he had meant there was more to Anakin than others saw, so much more. Siri had always been preceptive…

"Thank you for watching over him."

Siri sighed as she realised Obi-Wan wasn't going to elaborate any further on his previous statement, Obi-Wan was after all a very private man even with her.

"Any time."

Their eyes locked again and all the years seemed to fall away around them, it was as if they were hormonal teenagers again. Obi-Wan realised something dangerous as he gazed into Siri's perfect eyes, he still loved her. He knew then and there he always would.

He pulled his gaze away from Siri regrettably as another joined their humble abode, Master Yoda. Obi-Wan and Siri separated, her hand leaving his so quickly it was as if she had been burned. He saw her cheeks flush after being seen in an overly friendly position by Master Yoda himself, Obi-Wan too felt mortified over the development. How had they not sensed the Master? Distraction…

Master Yoda did not offer retribution only a knowing glance as he looked between the two, a warning but nothing more maybe feeling generous as the circumstances were extra-ordinary. Obi-Wan and Siri both heaved in a sigh of relief before Siri took her leave, realising they had almost reverted back to old mistakes in a moment of weakness. They would always have a connection and Obi-Wan would always love her but duty came first, they had both chosen the path of the Jedi and had to live with the pain and consequences of that.

"See you around, Kenobi." She offered him one of her perfect smiles before bowing out of the room, leaving Obi-Wan with the grand Master of the order.

Master Yoda watched Siri go with an odd expression, before Obi-Wan could properly identify it the look was gone, replaced by the usual serene features. Obi-Wan attempted to sit up properly only to stop as Yoda gave him a warning to desist, a warning which roughly translated to - 'Sit you will or strapped down you will be…'

"How feel do you, Obi-Wan?" The little Master queried as he sat in the seat recently vacated by Siri.

That was rather a loaded question coming from Master Yoda, his questions always had double meanings and hidden depths. Obi-Wan wasn't completely sure he knew how he was, he hadn't really had the time to brood over events. Compared to the last few days however he felt cleaner, less-burdened and safe.

"I feel good, Master, I feel as though a great burden has been lifted."

Yoda nodded his head perhaps echoing approval perhaps understanding, Obi-Wan was sure the news of the Sith had been a shock for all Jedi just like it had been for him. For some time it looked as though all could be lost anyway, regardless of what Qui-Gon had changed. Did Master Yoda know about Qui-Gon?

Master Yoda flicked up his eyes to Obi-Wan's with a mischievous glint which made Obi-Wan feel like an initiate all over again, Yoda had read his thoughts perfectly as if he had no shields at all. He would forever be in awe and amazed by Master Yoda's wisdom and knowledge of the force.

"Know I do, sensed his presence I did."

Obi-Wan nodded thankful that at least a difficult conversation was out of the way, he didn't even know how he would have begun. Master Yoda was the only one who had lived long enough, had seen so much that he would perhaps believe Obi-Wan's words. He was sure if he had told any one else he would be stuck here indefinitely to check for brain damage, telling people that he had been hearing and seeing a man that was dead for years was not a good way to prove one's sanity.

"He never told me how." Obi-Wan looked up hopefully to see if the Jedi Master had an answer for him where Qui-Gon did not, his Master had just chalked it down to his usual defiance.

"Unheard of it is," Yoda answered. "Show me how to connect with him you must."

Obi-Wan panicked over the words, how did he connect with Qui-Gon? If he were honest it always seemed to be down to his Master and not him. How in the blazes was he meant to teach Master Yoda when the Grand-Master already knew more than anyone?

Yoda chuckled as he picked up the panicked thoughts, he laid a clawed hand on Obi-Wan's arm and invoked peace.

"Learning we all are, Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan relaxed a tad at the words, his mind naturally moved to the next experience he had which was quite simply unexplainable, Anakin.

"Master, when I was duelling with Sidious something happened, something with Anakin and Qui-Gon." He looked down at Master Yoda hoping he would not think that Obi-Wan was completely mad, he didn't really know how to describe what happened let alone explain it.

"Hmm…" Master Yoda looked between the sleeping form of Anakin and Obi-Wan with an inquisitive gleam in his eye, perhaps he was looking for something only an outsider would see. "Strong your training bond has become, stronger than any before…"

Obi-Wan furrowed his brows in confusion, there had to be more than that surely? What happened in the temple could not simply be the result of he and Anakin growing close, Obi-Wan had felt Anakin inside his body.

"Master, it's more than that." Obi-Wan started slightly exasperated. "When it happened, well when it happened it was like Anakin and I were the same person joined by the force."

Obi-Wan half expected the green troll to shoot down his theory as nonsense, the Jedi Master only nodded and seemed to get lost in thought. Whatever the answer it was becoming clear to the pair of them that it would take much more than just one conversation to know what happened, if they ever were to know. Obi-Wan foresaw many late nights ahead in joint meditation with the aging Master to uncover the mystery, Yoda had clearly come to the same conclusion.

"Later talk more we will, rest now you must." Yoda hopped off of the chair and gathered his gimmer stick to set off, disappearing after as always he caused more questions than answers.

"Wait, what happened to Dooku and…" Obi-Wan desperately asked as a million burning questions filled his mind. He wanted to know that everything truly was okay and that this wasn't all some false hope, fate however had other ideas as he was interrupted by Yoda again before he could finish.

"Later, Obi-Wan, safe now you are. Rest."

With that Yoda was gone, leaving Obi-Wan to his own thoughts and Anakin. He felt his eyelid's grow heavy again and had a funny feeling he knew why he felt so tired all of a sudden, Master Yoda had pushed a sleep command on him, twice! Obi-Wan couldn't believe he missed it at the time, now it was as clear as day as he thought back to the Jedi Master's parting instructions. Clearly Yoda had not trusted him to rest on his own terms, Obi-Wan admitted to himself he probably would have spent the time brooding so perhaps the Jedi Master did have precedent…

Obi-Wan struggled to keep his eyes open as he thought valiantly against the Jedi Master's will, knowing full well that the struggle was futile. He resigned to sleep as his eyes finally stayed shut but not before clasping his Padawan's hand in his, the contact made all of his queries over Dooku seem inconsequential. Nothing else mattered now that he knew Anakin was safe and they would move forward together just as he always dreamed.

Qui-Gon Jinn looked down upon the entwined pair as they slept peacefully and smiled, he would have given anything to be with them fully but would not take this new-found contact for granted. He would not be leaving Anakin or Obi-Wan's lives anytime soon, not with so much to learn and teach. He settled down to watch over the two and was once again in awe of how right the image looked. The force swirled around the two sleeping brothers confirming the fact their destinies were intertwined with another, they belonged together.

Finis


A/N - Okay so even though this chapter says it's the last I'm actually going to be doing an epilogue to wrap things up and set up a few things before I start book 2, shouldn't be too long until that's up! Hope you've enjoyed the tale :)

Until next time...