Obi Wan awakes with a start, beads of perspiration dripping down his face. It is dark now, and the sun has gone down. He is the only one in the waiting room; dim lights are on in the hallways.
His mind slowly comes to, still reeling what he has seen from his dream. He notices Bant coming towards him from the office part of the med wing. He rises from his seat, yawning as though he had not slept.
"Hello," he greets her, smiling. "Any news?"
Bant smiles – at least he thinks she does. It is hard for a human to read Mon Calamari expressions. "Good news, yes. Luminara is in stable condition. She can go back to her quarters now, as long as she rests as she is ordered to." Bant pauses. "Master Yoda thinks it best if you take her back with you and look after her until she is fully recovered."
Obi Wan just nods, not fully listening.
"Obi Wan." Bant fixes him with a steely gaze. He snaps into focus immediately. "Yes?"
Bant lowers her voice until it is merely a whisper. "I searched the records again. K'ol Shum'a is, yes, suspected of having been a dark side practitioner."
Obi Wan takes the news in, thoughtfully. "Could he have taught his Padawan his ways?"
"It is possible. Meanwhile, I wish you to get some information out of Luminara if you can. I haven't had a chance since I checked in on her." Bant sighs. "Our work is never done, is it?"
Obi Wan shook his head. "I'll take her home with me; thanks a lot, Bant!"
She bows her head, humbly. "My pleasure. Goodbye, Obi Wan. I'll contact you in the morning."
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Obi Wan walks into Luminara's room, having been given directions by a nearby nurse. He pauses by her bed; she is asleep, not moving. He doesn't want to wake her, so he moves as quietly as possible.
He pushes the covers back, feeling her shiver, unconsciously, as the cold air wafts across her skin. He slips his arms underneath her, and lifts her up, holding her close to him.
He walks through the door, out into the hallway. The hour is late, so there are almost no Jedi in the corridors. He steals past locked doors, up the stairs, to his quarters.
Nudging open the door, he steps into the small room, being careful not to bump Luminara on the door. Anakin is already asleep in his own room; he can tell by the loud snoring through the adjoining wall.
He slips into his own room, feeling a blast of warm air against his face. He gently lowers Luminara onto the bed, yanking the covers back. He tucks her in, making sure she is warm and comfortable. As he sneaks back out to the tiny main room, his apprentice pokes his head in.
"Master-" he begins to complain loudly, suddenly cut off by Obi Wan's hand meeting his mouth.
"Ouch," he mumbles, rubbing his lips. "What was that for?"
Not answering immediately, Obi Wan shoves Anakin out the door of his bedroom, closing it behind him.
He gestures for him to sit on the couch; his Padawan obliges, giving him a confused look. "Now can you tell me?" he bursts out, unable to stand waiting any longer.
Obi Wan stretches, causing Anakin pain. "Please?" he begs, pathetically.
Obi Wan sighs. "You recall Master Unduli and Padawan Offee?"
"Yeah," Anakin winces. "Padawan Offee fights hard."
Obi Wan nods, agreeing. "Well, have you noticed what's been going on between them?"
Anakin looks surprised, bewildered. "What's been going on?"
"Padawan Offee treats her Master like…" Obi Wan pauses, thinking of a word. "Bantha poodoo and mud."
"What does Master Unduli do about it?" Anakin asks, intrigued.
Obi Wan shakes his head. "I don't know. I confronted her, but she seemed pretty broken about it; I asked her Padawan about it and got my rear kicked. We all landed at the hospital."
Anakin winces, again. "Painful. So what do they have to do with why you slapped me back there?"
"I did not slap you; I gave you a 'friendly' reminder to be quiet. Master Unduli is in there. Yoda thought it would be best if I looked after her until she was recovered."
Anakin snickers. "Really."
Obi Wan nods, blushing pink. "Not my fault!"
To his surprise, his apprentice pats his arm. "Don't worry, Master. She'll have to like you someday."
Obi Wan turns beet red, rivalling the pink he was just a minute ago. "Wha-what?"
"Everyone knows you like her – it's in everything you do. We understand."
"Who's 'we'?"
Anakin pauses. "Me and everyone else at the Temple. Don't you think Yoda set you up?"
Obi Wan frowns. "No.."
His Padawan sighs. "Master, you are so hopeless."
"Why?"
"Never mind.. You'll figure it out some day. Can I go back to sleep now?"
"Sure."
He watches his apprentice stand and crawl back to his room, already half asleep. Smiling to himself, he pushes the door open again, and steps inside, footsteps light.
He walks slowly to the other side of the room, hands folded behind his back. He stares out the window, watching the dark sky twinkle with stars.
He hears a voice behind him. He turns, silhouetted by the light of the stars.
"Obi Wan?" Luminara's voice is shaky, confused. "What.. What am I doing here?"
"Don't worry," he reassures her. "You collapsed after fighting… Barriss… and you were brought to med wing. You were fine afterwards, and they let me take you home."
She doesn't reply; he guesses she is too tired to. He wonders just how long it will take to heal her.
"Where is Barriss?" she asks, her voice stronger. "Is she okay?"
Obi Wan paces over to her kneeling down on the floor so he is eye level with her. "Barriss turned to the dark side today, 'Ara. That faces strict punishment from the Council."
"But is she alright?" she demands, voice rising. "Is she?"
He nods; she slumps back down into the pillows in relief. He thinks of how Barriss would never care so much for her.
"'Ara," he says, quietly. "Why would Barriss want to hurt you?"
She does not answer him, not immediately. He looks over at her, concerned. Her eyes are closed, tears dripping from her cheeks. He instantly comes over, reaching out and pulling her close.
"I don't know," she sobs, against his chest. "She doesn't like me. She wants her old Master."
He hugs her closer, wrapping his arms around her body. He is surprised at how thin she is; Barriss's insults must not have been good for her.
"Hush," he murmurs, in her ear. She only cries harder, shaking her head.
He rocks her, back and forth, stroking her hair. She stops crying, sniffling, eyes still shut. He peers down at her, reaching out a finger and wiping away a tear.
"Do you want me to stay?" he asks, softly. She nods, silent. He hugs her to him, resting his chin on the top of her head.
In a low voice, he tells her all the stories he knows, all that have happy endings. Within minutes, he can feel her breathing become low and even against him. He snuggles closer, feeling drowsy already.
Within minutes, both are asleep.