Sorry this took so long! You know how hard school can be! And if you don't…LUCKY!

The first thing he was aware of, like all the other times he awoke, was pain. Sharp, endless, bitter pain. It never ceased, not even when she left after hours of torture, for it had long since stopped being interrogation for information. No, she wanted him to suffer, for some unimaginable reason. Obi-Wan no longer denied that this—obsession—over breaking him wasn't merely for war purposes only.

He'd never experienced this before. Of course, there had been times when a rogue terrorist cell or separatist commander had inflicted a few bumps and bruises and shocks on him, but never before had his entire body hurt all at once. Burning, unyielding pain followed him everywhere, even in the few respites of unconsciousness he so relished now, as they provided a temporary escape from this hell. The cuts, burns, incisions, whip marks, poisons—the Sith mask, twisting the light inside of him until there was nothing but darkness; just layer upon layer of the intense agony he'd endured so far, with far more to come. The mental anguish that the Jedi would not be coming to his rescue still stung terribly, as did the fact that he meant so little to the boy he'd raised. Hunger and thirst were constant issues; the dull ache Obi-Wan was used to from not enough rations in battle had evolved into a beast tearing his insides apart.

This time when he woke was no different. The pain was still there, though strangely lessened. Perhaps he was—finally—dying. Or maybe Ventress was just using yet another tactic to break him. Wonderful. Though, there was something off...

Why was he warm?

It was a strange sensation after so many months of cold air on chilled flesh barely warmed by tattered rags that once passed as clothing. Was that a blanket on him? And why was it so bright? Wait…did he smell…bacta?

Obi-Wan opened his eyes, blinking slightly in the harsh light, to find himself in familiar settings. A ship. Not just any ship. A Jedi Medical cruiser. He would recognize it anywhere—unfortunately, he and Anakin had a history of returning to Coruscant on some of these.

For a moment, joyful, almost giddy relief flowed through him as he sat upright on the narrow bunk. Obi-Wan had the strangest urge to giggle—something Jedi Masters did not do. A tiny smile flickered around his lips. He was saved! Finally! He was finally going home, after so many months, after dreaming of it for so long, he was—

Dreaming. He'd dreamed of a rescue before—who said this was any different?

Obi-Wan slumped in defeat, bitter disappointment taking place once again. Another dream. That's all it was. A fabricated fantasy to escape the cruel world of his reality. Obi-Wan couldn't help the small sob of despair; he'd had his hopes resurrected and demolished all in the space of a few measly seconds…

The sound of footsteps headed his was had Obi-Wan tensing in fear. She was coming; there was no escaping what would surely come next. Pure, unconscious instinct had him lying down on the bunk again, thin blanket pulled tightly around him. The Jedi in him told Obi-Wan not to fear, to be calm and rational, to let the Force deal with everything. The human part of him screamed at him to be terrified, to brace himself.

The footsteps drew closer; the door opened. Sheer panic began to rise inside of him.

"Master?"

Obi-Wan squeezed his eyes shut, his breathing ragged and hurried. Soon there'd be pain, he just knew it.

"Master, what's wrong?"

He had to endure, had to fight, for what good was a Jedi to others when he couldn't protect himself?

"Obi-Wan? Oh, Sith—Master, wake up!"

Obi-Wan flinched hard when a hand touched his shoulder; hands brought pain, hands hurt, hands meant blows and weapons…

"Hush now…shh, shhh, it's just a nightmare…nothing's going to hurt you now, Master, I promise….shhh…"

A warn hand gently cupped his cheek, but he knew better. She'd done this so many times. She'd be gentle with him, make him believe he was safe, only to roughly snap Obi-Wan back to reality with a sharp slap or deep stab.

"Please wake up, Obi-Wan, you're scaring me. Shh, you don't have to be scared anymore; I'll protect you. You're safe; no one is ever going to hurt you again. I'll make sure of that."

Why did that voice sound so familiar? Wait a minute…was it…Anakin? No, it couldn't be Anakin. Anakin didn't care anymore; he'd left him to die…but still…

Anakin?

"I'm here."

A gentle nudge brushed against his mind, soothing and welcome. Anakin!

"Master." Obi-Wan felt a hand wrap around his own as his eyes fluttered open—something that felt like a tremendous effort. A very concerned looking Anakin Skywalker was leaning over him, worry evident in his eyes, smiling in relief as his Master looked up at him.

Really…really you? Safe? Speaking was out of the question; his throat was terribly dry, and at the moment, closed with unshed tears. Obi-Wan silently thanked the Force for their bond.

"Yes, Master. It's me, you're safe now."

Hurts…

"I know, I couldn't find any pain meds onboard. Just relax; we should be back at the temple soon."

Anakin…

"Hush, there will be time to talk later. You need some rest; you look awful, quite frankly." Anakin teased gently, though his tone was laced with worry and betrayed his feeling of being so lost without Obi-Wan. He gently laid his hand on Obi-Wan's forehead, pressing a tender sleep compulsion against the weary mind. Obi-Wan complied easily and closed his eyes, satisfied that he was safe for now. Exhaustion claimed him once more as he drifted off again.

Anakin sat by his Master's beside for a long time, occasionally interrupted by Master Mundi checking in on the both of them. The Cerean Jedi had been a bit disappointed that he had missed Obi-Wan's brief period of wakefulness, but it was overshadowed by concern for his fellow Master's condition. He sporadically asked the younger knight if he would like for Ki to watch over Obi-Wan, but Anakin refused. He tended to be fidgety, nervous when his Master was hurt—this time was no different. Anakin just stayed by Obi-Wan's side, listening to his quiet breathing and irritably smoothing invisible crinkles on the thin blanket draped lovingly over his Master's form, content to be near Obi-Wan after so long.

Sometimes, there were the occasional nightmares and flashbacks he had to deal with, signified with a whimper and trembling muscles, eyes squeezed shut tight. Anakin would soothingly stroke Obi-Wan's hair, just like his Master had done for him when he was a child suffering from similar conditions. At first, Obi-Wan had shied away from the touch, fearing it would result in yet more pain; he just wasn't used to being touched softly. But as Anakin continued his tender ministrations, he gradually accepted the comfort. The weak nuzzle against Anakin's palm let him know his actions were welcome and comforting to one who had been starved of affection and gentle touches for so long.

Anakin barely noticed when Ki-Adi-Mundi called back to tell him that they had entered friendly space, nor when he informed him of their descent into Coruscant. All thoughts were focused on the man lying so weak and fragile—a state Obi-Wan Kenobi should never be—on the small bunk. A fierce need to protect him, to keep him safe, and to care for him, washed over Anakin as he gently wrapped Obi-Wan in his much-too-large cloak and picked him up, wincing at the tiny, protesting mewl the action provoked.

And as he carried his Master out of the ship to where the surely awaiting Healers were bound to be, Anakin Skywalker made a silent promise of revenge against the monster that had hurt his sweet natured friend.

Done! Finally! Again, so sorry this took so long—school+writer's block= NO NEW CHAPTER! L As always, reviews are appreciated and highly accepted. And if you want to see something in the next chapter (i.e. some more Ani/Obi bonding, a fight, maybe a serious setback you want to see—something like that) just say it in the review…PLEASE do, cuz I'm running a lil' low on ideas here…

Also, HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!