Here we go! Just to let you know, I wrote this almost a week ago and DRS beta'd it almost immediately but I didn't have any access to the golden highway of information that we so lovingly call the internet, until now. Enjoy.

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Red.

Everything was red.

Blood hazed Obi-Wan's vision and a sharp pain caused him to gasp aloud. With a sicking thud, he landed on the hard unforgiving surface of his cell floor. The cool of the concrete was a contrast to his burning hot face, but this offered no comfort as his head was slammed into the ground again.

It can't go on for much longer…

Thwack.

Any minute now…

Thwack.

Surely he must be tired. Oh Force.

Thwack, thwack.

Please stop. Just stop.

Thwack!

No…just stop.

THWACK!

…please…

Obi-wan's silent pleas went unanswered as the guard twisted his head cruelly and smashed it face first into the cold stone. Gasping for air, Obi-Wan opened his eyes in horror. His nose was broken and breathing hurt. As the swollen nose met the ground again, Obi-Wan changed his evaluation. Everything hurt.

A respite from the blows made Obi-Wan look at his attacker. The face was human and grimly staring at him. Obi-wan had to admit it was disturbing, because the soldier's eyes held no emotion for what he was doing. The soldier's gaze was merely evaluating his handy-work, deciding if Obi-Wan was injured to his superiors' satisfaction. If there was any emotion betrayed in the icy stare, it was a light curiosity.

A steel-capped boot kicked out and buried itself into Obi-Wan's side. The unexpected blow prompted a strangled cry to escape Obi-wan's lips, the first he had uttered.

And then the solider left, as quickly and unexpectedly as he had entered. It was only then that Obi-Wan realised that his scream was the signal to stop the assault.

Groaning, Obi-Wan dragged himself to the corner furthest away from the door. Just in case anymore soldiers were ordered to play 'kick the prisoner'. This corner was still mostly clean, apart from a random spray of blood here and there, and its puddle of water was the cleanest in the cell, tainted only slightly by the rust red cloud of Obi-Wan's blood.

Obi-Wan's face paled under the coat of blood at the strain he felt in his chest as he tried to heave himself upwards. In the dim light, he could see a mangled reflection. Layers of congealing blood marred his gaunt face and several cuts and bruises adorned the area where his face had met the floor time and time again. One eye was almost swollen shut, but most disturbing was the awkward angle of his nose. It was clearly broken and would need to be set. Amazingly, his teeth remained unscathed, although now they were stained red with his blood.

Blood. So much blood. The cell floor ran with it and Obi-Wan began to wonder at the extent of his blood loss. Maybe that was why he felt so light headed; or maybe that was because of the large gash on his head, once again bleeding profusely.

His head swam with the dull thudding at the base of his neck, and his mind reeled with every breath or shuddered cough taken by his abused lungs. Obi-Wan began to have serious doubts about his ability to survive. He had been here an only a few days at the most, and yet his mind was screaming just to give up. Besides, his body was so battered that it was only a matter of time before it worn out, and with it his life would be forfeit.

Obi-Wan's head rolled back as he collapsed against the wall. Wallowing in self-pity wasn't the best thing to be doing, but they were the only thoughts that could form in his rattled mind. It wouldn't be long now, until he blacked out with pain and they sent in a medic to patch him up. At least, that's what he hoped would happen. Or would they just let him bleed to death in this dank hole?

Surely somebody was responsible to unsure he remained alive so they could…do whatever they had him for. It was at times like these that Obi-Wan began to wonder why exactly he was here. Apart from being Qui-Gon's apprentice, there was nothing he had of value, no reason to keep him alive. The only thing he had was his body and the precious cargo it held. His and Qui-Gon's child.

Oh, Force. No, no, no! It couldn't be. They wouldn't… They couldn't know!…

Obi-Wan fought to regain control of his dulling mind. He needed to be awake. He needed to figure out what was happening. He needed answers.

Focus, Obi…focus. Okay, why am I alive? Either these guys are sadistic bastards who find pleasure in this sort of thing, or I'm valuable to someone. Enough to be kept alive… barely.

Obi-wan ignored that last minute thought.

Right. Nobody would go to this much trouble just for their own satisfaction.

I must know something or have something. Considering I haven't been on an important mission to date I think it is the latter.

Somebody is after my baby, but how did they know? Even Qui-Gon didn't know.

That thought hit a raw nerve and try as he might, the tears that welled in his eyes would not go away. That was an understatement.

The tears racked his frail body and with every gasp of air, his heaving chest ached. The salt stung his raw face as finally Obi-wan allowed his grief and pain their release.

Hugging his knees, the young man rocked gently and let his incapacitating despair sweep over him. His fading hope for the future, and his inner anguish at the thought of his child's fate was overwhelming.

Obi-wan couldn't breathe.

Help me, somebody… anybody…

The sound of painful gasps from his tired frame and his rasping breath was fading.

Oh, Force, why me… I need, I need guidance. Please…someone…

Shallow breaths were stopping.

I'll do anything… please. Oh, Force, I'm sorry. Just so tired…

Obi-Wan's head drooped and his eyes closed.

I'm so sorry, my baby. Oh my love, please forgive me, I couldn't withstand.

Obi-Wan's fading strength brought his hands to rest on his belly

Goodbye, Qui-Gon. I truly loved you. I just need to escape… please.

A single tear rolled from Obi-Wan's shut eye and slid down his deathly pale face, gathering a blood-stained tinge as it descended .

…so close…

In the guard's watch room a small alarm sounded

please…

A frantic medical team rushed into the cell.

I need…

Medic's surrounded Obi-Wan's small frame.

…release…

A small smile appeared on Obi-Wan's face. As the medics desperately tried to revive the fallen Jedi, a healthy young man stood at the door. He watched the scene with limited interest, and then turned away. A pulsing light illuminated his auburn hair and bathed his handsome face in radiance. A mirror smile appeared, identical to the motionless Jedi's. The young man stepped towards the light and felt himself become engulfed in bliss.

Far away…

Far away on a small insignificant planet, a Jedi with long, flowing hair felt a stab in his chest. Clutching his chest, tears sprung to his eyes as he muttered a name…

Obi-Wan.

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Hmm…that was a bit drastic, for me to do that to obi. Oh well, DRS was bugging me to get on with the torture but I figure that I haven't even started yet. Next time on

Obi-wan's choice (imagine a loud annoying American commentator voice …er….I mean a person of non-descript background), obi-wan discovers what happen when you see the light. Reviews are nice.