***Chapter 21***
"Would you like to go in alone?" Obi-Wan asks as he and Lexi stand outside Qui-Gon's recovery room.
Lexi nods, "Thank you." She gives him a slow, soft kiss.
"If you need me…"
"I know how to find you. Now go, you need to freshen up. You look like you've gone ten rounds with a Sith."
"Well, not all of us are lucky enough to babysit during a war," he replies with a wink as he walks away.
Lexi watches him go and then quietly slips into Qui-Gon's room. The Jedi Master is sleeping on his left side and is covered from the waist down. She walks over to his bed and gently runs her hand down the bandage covering his back wound. Her eyes well up from the pain she feels radiating from him. She thinks about 'Oru and hopes that he didn't feel much pain. She walks around to the other side of his bed and pulls up a chair. She places her hand over his and sits down to watch him sleep.
Feeling slightly better after a long shower, Obi-Wan makes his way to the dining hall to check on Anakin. When he arrives he finds the boy sitting next to Padmé and surrounded by the handmaidens, answering their questions about his space adventure and loving every minute of it. He can't help but smile at the boy's enthusiasm.
He stands for a few minutes, taking in the scene, and then turns to go back and check on Qui-Gon and Lexi. He only makes it a few steps when someone grabs him by the elbow. He spins and finds the handmaiden, Sabé, smiling up at him.
"You weren't leaving without getting something to eat, were you?"
"I was just checking on Anakin. I need to go back and check on my Master now."
"Come on, eat something first. Surely even strong, handsome Jedi men need to eat."
Obi-Wan sighs, but the handmaiden is already pulling him back into the dining hall. "The Queen would be very upset if you turned down her banquet." She tries to pull him to the seat next to her, but Obi-Wan diplomatically moves to the seat next to Anakin, across from Sabé.
"Were you able to contact the Jedi?" Padmé asks.
"Yes, they will be here in a few days. We will have Master 'Oru's funeral then."
The group is silent as everyone remembers those who gave their lives that day. Obi-Wan turns to Anakin, "I have not had a chance to hear about your space heroics yet…"
Anakin smiles widely. Perhaps if the Jedi know how he saved the day, they may give him another chance. He may be a Jedi yet. He quickly dives into the story, pausing as the handmaidens ask various questions about if he was afraid, or how he knew what to do.
Lexi is still sitting by Qui-Gon's side when Captain Panaka quietly enters the room. "We have prepared a room for you if you'd like to freshen up or get some rest."
As much as she doesn't want to leave Qui-Gon's side, and as much as she wants to see 'Oru again, she knows a shower and a little sleep would certainly help the pounding in her head. She rises slowly from the chair, places a soft kiss on Qui-Gon's cheek, and then walks over to Panaka.
"Thank you. I think a little rest is just what I need."
"Right this way, my Lady." Panaka says with a bow. He leads her to the guest wing to a beautiful room that overlooks the Theed Funeral Temple. She waits until the Captain leaves and then walks over to the large bay windows and stares out at the temple. A single tear slips down her cheek. She turns away and wipes her eyes.
A shower…a nice long, hot shower is what I need.
She places 'Oru's lightsaber on the bed and heads to the refresher.
"Master Qui-Gon certainly did not exaggerate your piloting skills," Obi-Wan says to Anakin.
The boy beams proudly, "Well, I have been flying all my life."
Obi-Wan jerks slightly when he feels something run up his leg. He notices Sabé grinning widely at him.
"I would love to hear what it is like to be a Jedi," she smiles as she continues to run her foot up and down his leg.
Obi-Wan clears his throat and shifts uncomfortably. "There really isn't much to tell." He moves his leg away from her foot.
Sabé smiles wider, "Oh, come on. Surely you have been on many exciting adventures." Her foot finds his leg and begins to explore once again.
Obi-Wan can see that Anakin is disappointed to have the spotlight taken away. "Nothing nearly as exciting as what Anakin has been through," he says quickly. He pushes his chair away from the table and rises. "I really should take some food to Lexi. I don't think she will be up to dining with everyone tonight."
Sabé gives a disappointed took, but Anakin is happy Obi-Wan will be leaving. He hopes the other handmaidens will leave as well so he can have some time alone to talk to Padmé.
"Please, take her some food and tell her how much we appreciate what she and her Master did for our planet," Padmé smiles. "Captain Panaka can show you to her room."
"Thank you, your Highness. I will tell her." Obi-Wan bows and then he quickly puts together a plate of food and exits the room. He breathes a sigh of relief to be out of the dining hall and quickly seeks out Panaka.
Lexi steps out of the shower and puts on a bathrobe. She towel dries her hair and then walks back into the bedroom. She walks over to the window and stares out. "I'm so sorry, Master," she whispers. "I should have known you were sick. I shouldn't have argued with you about watching the boy. I should have been a better Padawan."
She turns away from the window again, her eyes we with unshed tears. She walks over to the bed and sits down, resting her back against the wall. She takes 'Oru's lightsaber and holds it close to her chest. Her eyes stare at the pattern in the bed sheets, but her mind swims with all the things she 'should' have done to have made things easier on her Master.
Obi-Wan knocks at Lexi's door, but she doesn't stir. He can feel that she is inside the room, so he quietly opens the door and slips in.
"I brought you something to eat," he says softly.
"I'm not hungry," she replies, her voice thick with emotion. Her eyes continue to stare at the same spot on the bed, as if it would take too much effort to even make eye contact.
Obi-Wan walks over to the bed and places the food on the nightstand. He slides onto the bed next to her. He gently takes the lightsaber from her hands and places it on the nightstand next to her food tray. His heart aches to see her hurting so much. He gathers her tightly in his arms and strokes her hair while he tries to think of something to say.
"I'm sorry," she says as the tears begin to flow freely.
"You have nothing to be sorry for," Obi-Wan assures.
"I should have told you right away about my vision. I should have…"
"Shhh," Obi-Wan says gently. "You were obeying the Council. You have done nothing wrong."
"I almost got us expelled from the Order."
"You were doing what you were told. You had no idea 'Oru didn't have permission."
She doesn't say anything for a long time, just cries into his chest as he holds her tightly. Obi-Wan feels as if his heart his breaking along with hers. He can't even imagine the pain she is in…the thought of losing Qui-Gon is unbearable. Through their bond, he sends his love, desperate to do anything to comfort her.
"Are you alright?" he asks softly, gently tucking a strand of red hair behind her ear.
"I suspected something was wrong when he said we were coming on the mission, but I didn't question it because I wanted to make sure Qui-Gon didn't die. I…I just feel so guilty…I wanted Qui-Gon to be alright, but I never thought…I didn't mean for…" she sobs quietly.
"Shhh…it's alright. I know, Sweetheart, I know," he whispers, stroking her back soothingly. "Master 'Oru knew what he was doing. You heard what Adi said. He didn't want to spend the end in the healing rooms."
After a moment she pulls herself together and gently pulls back from his embrace. "I just want to wake up and find that all this is just another stupid nightmare. I want Master 'Oru back."
Obi-Wan gently leans forward to kiss her. "That's completely understandable. Lexi, I can't begin to understand the kind of pain you're going through right now. For a moment I thought I was going to lose Qui-Gon as well."
Lexi shudders at the thought of losing both Master 'Oru and Qui-Gon. "I guess you should go…rules and all."
"The mission is over, for the most part anyway."
"Obi…"
"I'll leave when I'm sure you are alright," he replies, kissing her softly on her forehead.
Obi-Wan stretches out on the bed and pulls her into his embrace. She rests her head on his chest and closes her eyes as he strokes her hair. She sighs contentedly, letting the soothing sound of his heartbeat lull her to sleep.
"I love you," she whispers against his chest as she drifts to sleep.
"I love you, too," he replies, before surrendering to sleep.
