Anneke's presence in the Force was always bright, passionate, and strong. There were times her emotions spilled into darker territory, and then worry gnawed at Obi Wan. But nothing had caused him true fear until he had seen her crumpled before Dooku. He knew that fear was dangerous, that he shouldn't allow it, but he had been unable to banish it until Yoda had arrived, rescuing both of them.
The memory of that fear drove him to meditate, but her presence in the medical bay drove him to her side. He compromised, meditating in the chair beside her bed while she slept, a part of his awareness watchful for when she would awake.
Meditation was more difficult than usual. His thoughts kept going around and around. He had failed her. When Qui Gon died, he had blamed himself… still did to an extent. But this was a greater failure. He was her master, her teacher. He should have been able to protect her.
He sensed her imminent waking, and opened his eyes. Her eyelids flickered and she clutched at the sheets with her remaining hand. Her lips moved, and he leaned closer. He thought he heard "Padraig," and he sat up slowly, a new fear twisting his gut.
Her eyes opened, and focused on him. "Master," she said hoarsely. "What happened?'
Resolutely calming himself, Obi Wan reached for a pitcher of water on a nearby table, and replied, "Yoda showed up just in time to save us, but Dooku got away." He was surprised at the hint of bitterness he heard in his own voice. He needed to meditate more. He poured the water into a glass.
Anneke sighed. "I'm sorry, Master. I shouldn't have been so reckless. I should have listened to you."
He shook his head, his lips curling in a small smile. He allowed amusement to colour his voice. "Yes, you should have." He handed her the glass of water.
A ghost of a smile crossed her face, followed by a frown. She lifted her left hand to take the glass, then gasped in pain.
Leaning forward, he held the water to her lips. "I'll call for more painkillers."
She took a sip, then shook her head. "No." She dropped her left hand on the mattress. "I had hoped it was a dream."
"A prosthetic is being made for you," he offered. "You should be able to do everything you always could."
She nodded, swallowing hard. "Did Senator Andelko make it through the battle?"
Though she tried to hide it, he felt the fear behind the question, warring with desperate hope. He closed his eyes for a moment. He should never have let the two of them go away together, but he had never considered questioning the Council's orders. He would have try to keep her away from Coruscant—and Naboo—as much as possible. Yet, he found himself reassuring her. "Yes. He's returning to Naboo in a few days."
"I'll go with him."
He sighed. It was going to be difficult to keep them apart. "No, Anneke. We have other duties now."
"The threat against him isn't gone, Master. The Trade Federation may be weakened, but they are not destroyed." Her voice was firm. "I must finish this task."
He closed his eyes against the raw emotion in her eyes, and opened his mouth to tell her no again. He paused, his eyes opening to gaze into the distance. Perhaps this would be good for her, an opportunity to say goodbye. Besides, he didn't want to teach her not to finish what she had started. He nodded, meeting her eyes again. "Return here as soon as he is safely home. The Jedi Council will have a new mission for us soon."
A true smile curved her lips and her Force presence lit up with brilliant joy. He watched as she quickly damped it down, trying to hide her feelings from him.
"Anneke," he said quietly yet firmly. "I think you have spent too much time with Senator Andelko lately. You need to focus on your duties as a Jedi. Don't forget that attachments are forbidden."
"Yes, Master." Her voice and demeanor were deferential, but she was still hiding her true feelings. Was this a mistake?