Happy New Year! I'm sorry for the delay! It's been hectic and I've been crazy busy as I've added a lot more to my plate, but also managed a lot of my stressors too. Anyway, I present to you the final 3 chapters of this book! Enjoy!
Last time: Obi-Wan managed to defeat Maul for now.
Now: They return to Coruscant so Obi-Wan and Sasha can receive treatment.
Chapter 20- Long Road to Recovery
The damaged ship exited hyperspace several hours later over Coruscant. The damage it sustained in the battle in the hangar was worse than they had thought. Throughout their hyperspace travel, Anakin and Gear were enacting repairs the whole way back just to keep them afloat. Anakin was just grateful that Obi-Wan was resting soundly in the makeshift medbay the whole time. Otherwise, he'd get an earful from his old master about the quality and state of the ship. Or the jerkiness of the journey back.
Anakin masterfully piloted the ship into the atmosphere and down towards the Jedi Temple below. Coming in for a landing was already much smoother than taking off had been, but it still was a bit jerky as they slowly approached the temple. As they got closer, the landing platform extended out from the side of the temple as the hangar bay opened. Anakin landed on the platform with a bit of a thud, but other than that, it was a safe landing.
He sighed quietly in relief that they didn't need to make an emergency landing or anything drastic like that. And that they had finally made it back safely after that whole nightmare ordeal with Maul. That Obi-Wan and Sasha were both safe and alright. But Sasha was still in critical condition according to Basha and needed immediate medical care. So Anakin called ahead to the Temple just before they exited hyperspace to have a medical team on standby.
Speaking of the medics, Anakin glanced out the viewport to see Bant and Vokara Che standing there with a few padawan healers and Clone medics, each with stretchers in tow. A gunship even waited inside the temple hangar to take the wounded Clones away. Anakin shut down the ship then got up from his seat as he hit the control to lower the ramp and headed for the passenger compartment. All of the Clones that remained sat back there except for Rex, who had been keeping him company in the cockpit as they flew back and now who was right behind him.
"Medics are waiting outside," Anakin informed them as he passed through the compartment. "I'm going to let them come aboard."
The Clones nodded. They all stood from their seats and started gathering their gear. Fives, Gear and Boil opted to go gather their fallen comrades while Cody joined Rex and followed Anakin out of the ship as Basha headed for the makeshift medbay to get Obi-Wan and Sasha ready. Scamp and Bow remained seated next to Wire, who still lay on the decking, asleep, as they waited for the medics to board. Anakin led the others down the ramp and approached the medics. Bant and Master Che walked up to him. Bant with a clear and present worried expression on her face and Vokara being just as passive as ever, but her brow creased with worry just slightly.
"Anakin, how are they?" Bant asked, worriedly.
"They're pretty beat up," Anakin said, tiredly as he slowed to a stop. The Clones behind him doing the same. "Obi-Wan's alright for the most part, but Sasha's in rough shape."
"And the Clones dispatched with you?" Master Che asked, glancing briefly between Rex and Cody before looking back at Anakin.
"We lost two of them. Sol and Drum," Anakin said sorrowfully. "The rest are on board. Three were injured pretty badly, but they are in a better state than Sasha is." He tried to emphasize the point that they should get her off the ship right now.
"We'll take good care of them," Bant said, catching his suggestion as she gestured for the padawan healers and medics to board the vessel to gather the wounded. The group waiting patiently behind the two head healers moved past and hurried for the ramp. Bant followed after them to oversee the process.
"What about all of you?" Vokara asked, glancing each one of them over.
"We're alright ma'am," Rex said as he glanced at Cody then back to her.
"I sense you are in some discomfort," The Twi'lek healer observed, looking at Cody, "but it appears that you all are just simply exhausted," Vokara Che finished just by merely looking the rest of them over.
Rex was taken aback by that as he visibly reacted to her astute observation of them. Anakin couldn't help but smirk as he was used to such treatment with the older healer. He turned to face the Clones properly.
"Rex, why don't you guys go on and head back to the barracks," Anakin suggested. "You've all earned some much needed rest."
"Yes sir," Rex said with a nod. "Thank you, General."
Anakin returned the nod as Rex and Cody headed for the waiting gunship that was expecting them and their wounded brethren. He then turned his attention back to Vokara. "I expected Master Yoda or Master Windu to come and greet us back. I'm surprised they're not here."
"They were called into a last minute emergency session of the Council," Vokara answered him. "Master Yoda informed me that they would be down to see you all and get a debrief on the mission once the meeting was over."
"Did they say when they would be finished?" Anakin asked as a thought suddenly came to mind. Because Obi-Wan and Sasha were safe, a part of him wanted to go rest for a while himself before addressing the Council and getting an update on his wounded friends. The other part of him wanted to go and see Padme, but given that it was about mid to late afternoon, she was most likely in the senate working right now. But he needed to know if he had time for the latter option and a nap too.
"I'm not sure," Vokara said with a slight shake of her head, her lekku swinging slightly from the motion. "I called to inform him shortly after you called us. It could be in the next few minutes. It could be another few hours from now. Either way, you should get some rest yourself and I can send someone to wake you when the Council is ready for you. Or when the others awaken."
"Thanks, Master Che," Anakin said with a tired nod. Maybe a nap for now wasn't a bad idea. Plus he should probably check in with Ahsoka anyway. He just made the mental note that once he updated the Council and got informed of his friend's status in the Halls of Healing that he would head home and spend time with Padme for the night. After everything that happened on this trip, Anakin really needed the embrace of his wife at this moment. He nearly lost Obi-Wan to Maul and Sasha was still in critical condition after her treatment on that base. And the thought that Maul might still be out there, alive, and could try to repeat all of this again made his stomach turn with unease. So seeing Padme, knowing she was alright, and having her comfort would be enough to settle his worries for now. But he couldn't tell anyone here that.
Bant appeared at the top of the ramp at that moment with a parade of stretchers following behind her as she descended back into the hangar. Her frown hadn't disappeared, it in fact deepened as she stepped off the ramp. She gestured to the padawans. "Get Master Kenobi and Padawan Monroe to the Halls of Healing stat!" She ordered them.
The Padawan's pushed the stretchers with Obi-Wan and Sasha along, heading for the healer's ward. The two pushing Sasha moved just a smidge faster than Obi-Wan's, and Anakin could guess why that was as Bant approached them. The padawan was still hooked up to an IV that laid beside her and an oxygen mask that barely fogged with each breath she took. Anakin frowned deeply at the sight as he watched Sasha and Obi-Wan go by. The Clone Medics, who had emerged behind Bant, escorted their three stretchers and Basha to the waiting gunship. Following them, though, were two stretchers with large blankets laid over the bodies that inhabited them and were being escorted by Fives, Gear and Boil. That caused even Master Vokara Che to frown as they watched the stretchers go by with the fallen Clones.
As the stretchers passed them, Scamp flagged Anakin down. Anakin gestured to the medics to halt so he could speak to the injured, newly promoted ARC Trooper.
"General," Scamp said as the medics slowed to a stop to allow him to talk to Anakin. "Would you be willing to let me know when the Commander wakes up?" He asked, quietly. "I promised her that I would check in on her once she woke up. I wanted to keep my promise, sir."
Anakin blinked at that. He had to respect the dedication Scamp had to Sasha, but it caught him off guard hearing the compassion and worry in his tone. Scamp and Sasha were best friends from what Anakin observed. A relationship very similar to Rex and his own. But there was something deeper there that the Clone subtly revealed to Anakin by asking that question that left him stunned for a second. He didn't want to assume though, but it sounded like Scamp cared for Sasha more than just friends. But he could be miss reading it too. After everything that happened to her, it would be understandable if he was worried about her.
He quickly shook the thought away and addressed the Clone with a small smirk. "Yeah, I can do that." He told him.
"Thank you, sir," Scamp said with a tired smirk.
"Get them out of here," Anakin ordered lightly to the Clone medics escorting Scamp.
The medics nodded and headed for the gunship that had already loaded with the others. The gunships engines spooled up and it took off out of the hangar, heading for the base on Coruscant. Anakin watched the gunship for a moment before looking to the two healers and bowed slightly.
"I'm going to go rest," Anakin said as he straightened up. "Keep me posted on their progress."
"Of course," Bant said with a firm nod.
Anakin returned the nod and headed out of the hangar, walking in a tired daze to his chambers. He didn't even realize he had arrived there until he found himself laying fast first on his mattress, quickly welcome by sleep.
Obi-Wan slowly came to, feeling his tired and sore body greet him. He opened his eyes and peeked around the room to see where he was. He immediately recognized the Halls of Healing once his eyes adjusted and sighed quietly in relief that he was back in the temple. That the whole endeavor with Maul was over for now. That he was still alive and that he was safely back home. That Sasha…
Sasha!
Obi-Wan bolted upright in the bed and quickly regretted that as his sore torso protested the movement. He rested back against the bed frame and took a moment to collect himself. He looked around the room to see that he was alone and that Sasha wasn't there. He needed to find her, to make sure she was okay. Her presence in the Force was fuzzy that it worried him. He reached for the blanket that had been laid over him to remove it when the door slid open.
"You know, you should be resting," Anakin's voice chastised bemusedly from the doorway.
Obi-Wan glanced over at him and shook his head. "I'm done resting. Where's Sasha?" He asked, worriedly as he pulled the blanket back.
"She's doing what you should be doing," Anakin said, stepping into the room and folding his arms across his chest. "Resting. She's just in the room next door."
"Is she alright?" Obi-Wan continued to press as he moved his legs to the side to stand.
"She will be," Anakin assured him. "Master Bant said that she has been receiving bacta treatments and will be in a deep healing sleep for a while. Her health has already started to show improvements, but she hasn't woken up yet. They said that she should in the next day or so."
Obi-Wan visibly relaxed as he leaned forward, his arms resting on his legs. He ran a hand down his face. "So her near punctured lung? The infection? Were they able to treat it in time?"
"Yes," Anakin nodded.
"Can I see her?" Obi-Wan asked, looking up at Anakin.
"Bant said that they want to limit visitors until she is awake," Anakin said, trying not to frown. "So I'm not saying yes, but I'm not saying no. You'll need to take it up with Bant."
"Have you seen her?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Yeah, they let me check on her shortly after I debriefed the council on everything," Anakin informed him. "She was still in rough shape then. I was going to check in again after I saw how you were doing. The only other person who has checked in on her was Cayden." Obi-Wan furrowed his brows. "I ran into him in the corridor and he asked if we had found Sasha. I gave him the long story short, skipping a few key details." He finished.
"That's good," Obi-Wan nodded absently. "Probably for the best that we keep those details between us, Sasha, the present Clones and the Council. Not even the Chancellor should know what happened." He said, shooting a sharp knowing glance at Anakin.
"Trust me," Anakin said, honestly. "I don't plan to tell him everything. Just that Maul is gone and that you guys were injured. This whole thing was just a mess and we should just leave it be."
Obi-Wan stared at him in subdued shock. Normally getting Anakin to keep his mouth shut and not tell the Chancellor was almost like twisting an arm. So hearing that he was in agreement on this surprised Obi-Wan. He slowly nodded. "I'm glad we're in agreement." He paused for a long moment. "How long have I been out?"
"Only a couple days," Anakin answered. "You haven't missed much. But they've found no sign of Maul. Not even a body. He's gone completely off the grid."
"I was curious if you had any update on him," Obi-Wan replied, uneasy. "It's unsettling to think he may still be out there. That this chase isn't over."
"No, but you've greatly wounded him," Anakin pointed out. "Physically and emotionally. You've hurt his pride and now he has to regroup. Reconsider his plans. He knows that we know he's after you and Sasha. He knows that security around you two is going to be even more difficult to bypass. And he knows that an army is backing you up the next time his name is mentioned. Maul is at a complete disadvantage at the moment. And once he recovers, he's going to need a whole new plan to take you down. We've not made it easy for him now."
"But we still shouldn't underestimate him," Obi-Wan added, curtly.
"We won't. Not again," Anakin shook his head. "We were too close to losing you two because we did underestimate him. But next time, he shouldn't underestimate us. And I think he knows that now."
Obi-Wan sighed. "You sound overconfident about that. Be careful with thoughts like that."
Anakin furrowed his brow, annoyed. "I'm not being overconfident here, Master. I'm being realistic. I saw first hand what that monster can do. I now understand the pain you feel." He pointed at his chest when he said that. "I understand why you felt like you had to do it alone. Especially after everything he took from you. I know the risks with Maul now, just like you always have. He will be stopped the next time we face him, because we will be ready for him. Not the other way around. Not anymore."
Obi-Wan held his gaze on Anakin. Impressed with the young man Anakin was becoming day by day. He released a breath. "You're right, Anakin. I'm sorry. It still hasn't full settled in that our fight with Maul is over for now. That we shouldn't have to worry, but always be cautious none the less." He looked at his hands in his lap. "I guess after this whole experience… I'm just a bit shaken. He nearly took Sasha away, just like he took Satine."
Anakin frowned. He could tell how shaken his former master was. He moved to the door and quickly glanced up and down the corridor. "Okay, get up," he ordered gently as he moved back to the bed.
"What?"
"You heard me. Get up. We're going to go see Sasha."
"But I thought you sai-"
"I know what I said," Anakin started to help Obi-Wan from the bed, allowing the older Jedi to use him as a crutch. "But you need to see your padawan. So that's what we're going to do. Bant and Master Che can yell at me later for it."
Obi-Wan smirked. "You should really learn to listen to authority. But thank you."
"Of course," Anakin beamed.
They slowly moved to the door and snuck out into the hall. Anakin was right. Her room was just next door. They slipped into the room to find Sasha, resting soundly but still hooked up for several machines monitoring her healing process. And next to her bed, sound asleep in a chair, was Cayden Marshall with a data pad slipping from his fingers. But Obi-Wan's eyes lingered on Sasha as he shrugged off Anakins assistance and limped quietly over to her bed side. He sat down on the edge of the bed and carefully took her hand in his. Her skin felt cold to the touch, but he could feel her presence in their shared bond in the Force.
They had done it. They had saved Sasha from Maul. She hadn't died by Maul's hand unlike Qui-Gon and Satine. His nightmare was simply that and not a horrible vision of what could be. She was still alive and able to become a knight. What he had said before sacrificing himself to save them was true. She was ready to move on to knighthood. He had seen such growth in her over the couple of years of the war. She wasn't the same young girl, full of surprises but lacking confidence in her leadership abilities and doubting herself at every turn. She was a strong, brave and compassionate person and fighter. She could lead the Clones with ease now and never question her decision making.
Sasha was ready.
And Obi-Wan felt a sense of pride and relief in himself that he was still around to see her reach this next step. He glanced at Anakin, who had attended to Cayden and his datapad. Anakin set the datapad aside before wrapping Cayden up in a blanket. He felt Obi-Wan's gaze on him and met his former Masters eyes.
"You okay?" Anakin whispered.
"Thank you, Anakin," Obi-Wan whispered.
"For what?" Anakin raised a confused brow.
"For coming back for me. For saving my life. And hers. And for being my brother," Obi-Wan said, wholeheartedly.
Anakin grinned. "Always."
The world felt numb as Sasha felt herself come to. Her torso felt tight, her leg felt stiff and her head felt heavy on the pillow. It was kind of disorienting coming back to reality feeling her body so numb, but the pain was gone. It was nothing but a dull memory as she felt her eyes slowly flutter open. It took her a long moment for her eyes to adjust to where she was before the Halls of Healings familiar chambers came into view.
She was back in the temple? That meant they got away safely. That they successfully got away from Maul. Then the last thing she remembered was Anakin going back for Master Obi-Wan, leaving her in the capable hands of the Clones. But she never saw them return. Could this be a dream? Could she still be on that base? In thet nightmare? There was only one way to be sure. She needed to find Master Obi-Wan. She needed to know he was alive and her connection to the Force was so hazy at the moment that it was hard to tell for sure.
Sasha struggled to sit up right in bed as she thought of nothing but her Master. He had to be okay. He had to be. Panic was setting in.
"Sash, you shouldn't move," a very familiar voice chimed in, worriedly.
She looked over to see Cayden in the doorway with a stack of datapads in his arms. He hustled over to her side as she stared at him in surprise. "Cayden?" She rasped out.
He sat beside her on the bed, setting his data stack aside on the chair, and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm here. You're okay, but you really shouldn't be trying move just yet."
"But I need to see Master Obi-Wan," Sasha demanded in a hoarse whisper. "Please tell me he's okay. That he's alive."
"Yeah, he is," Cayden assured her. "They released him from the healers a few days ago. I think he's in a Council meeting now, but he's alive. He's okay."
"Then Anakin kept his promise? Obi-Wan's okay?"
Cayden nodded, slightly confused. He had answered her question, but it was obvious that she was desperate to know for sure. "Yeah, he is." He furrowed his brow. "But are you? Anakin gave me the gist, but I still don't know the whole story and you look pretty shaken still. What happened?"
Sasha sighed in relief and rested back against the bed. She went quiet for a moment, staring distantly at the wall across from her bed. "Maul took me from the temple. He held me as his prisoner, tortured me until Master Obi-Wan eventually arrived to save me. At tirst, I wasn't afraid of him and I even tried to resist his questioning like I had with Dooku and Grievous in the past." Sha swallowed a lump in her throat. "But he told me what he was going to do to my master. The pain and torture and suffering he was going to cause. And I was going to bare witness to all of it as he was only going to keep me alive just enough to be a reminder to Master Obi-Wan to not try anything or he would kill me.
"And he almost succeeded in killing us both. I would be dead if it wasn't for my Master. But…" She shuddered. "By the Force, Cayden, I've never been so afraid in my life. That monster has killed so many close to my master. I thought I'd be okay when I eventually faced him, but I was terrified because for the first time in my life as a Jedi, I didn't think I was going to make it back. I thought I was actually going to die just so Maul could make my Master suffer more. No one should ever have to experience that," she rambled off, shaken.
Along with all of that, she also wanted to mention how she saw Satine die and how this whole thing made her think back to that moment. But Scamp was the only one who knew the truth. Eventually she would tell Cayden, but she didn't have the ability at this moment.
"Oh, Sasha," Cayden moved closer and gathered her in for a hug. Screw the code for a moment. His girlfriend was scared and shaken after that encounter. So he was going to comfort her no matter what.
Sasha all but collapsed against him, forgetting about being a Jedi for a moment. She didn't cry, but she felt her whole body tremble against him, causing her to grimace and wince as her still healing body didn't quite like the movement. They held the hug for a moment, thankfully uninterrupted. After a while, Sasha pulled away and rested back against the bed.
"Thanks," she said, quietly.
"Of course," he responded. "I'm just glad you're alright. When you were taken, I was so worried. Especially after the attack at the senate. The facade I had to keep up to not reveal our secret… I'm pretty sure not even droidekas have shields that strong."
Sasha chuckled at that, but followed it up with a frown. "I'm sorry to have worried you."
"Don't apologize," he pleaded, grabbing her hands and holding them in his own. "This wasn't your fault. You did everything you could to prevent it and survive, and that's what's important."
Sasha grimaced. That wasn't true. There was still one thing she could have done. She looked down at their hands. Maybe now was a good time to tell him. "Cayden, can I confide in you about something?"
"Of course. What is it?"
"What I'm about to tell you, you can't tell anyone. Not your master, not Ahsoka or Anakin. And especially not my master. No one must know," she urged.
"I promise. My lips are sealed."
She took a deep breath and told Cayden about her unsanctioned mission to Mandalore.
Bant had called him to inform him that Sasha had woken up while he was in the middle of his meeting with the council. Obi-Wan had to fight every ounce of his being that wanted to rush down there to see her or else be chastised by Master Yoda for such behavior. She was safe. She was alive. He would see her once the meeting was over. But once it was, he practically flew down to the Halls of Healing, hurrying past so many in the temple.
He reached the healers in no time and headed for Sasha's room without any delay or interruption. Right as he was about to knock on the door to her room, he could sense someone else in the room with Sasha. He recognized Cayden's presence. Taking a deep breath, Obi-Wan knocked gently on the door before opening it.
Sasha and Cayden looked up at him when he entered and had put a large amount of space between them the second the door opened. Obi-Wan stepped in and let the door slide shut behind him.
"Am I interrupting something?" Obi-Wan asked with a piqued brow.
"Uh, no," Cayden said, tense. "We were just talking."
"You don't need to worry," Obi-Wan assured him. "I saw nothing."
Cayden visibly relaxed. "Right. Thank you."
"May I have a word with Sasha?" Obi-Wan asked, keeping his gaze on Cayden.
"Of course," Cayden nodded. He got up from the edge of the bed and gathered up his data pads. He walked towards the door. "I'll stop by later."
"Okay. Bye Cayden," Sasha waved him off.
Cayden returned her wave with a nod and exited the room, leaving them alone. Obi-Wan moved over to the chair beside her bed and sat down. She looked to be doing so much better. He had visited her daily since he first woke up. Over those days, she steadily got healthier. The bacta treatments and healing sleeps did wonders it seemed as she didn't look to be quite at death's door as she did a week ago.
"How are you feeling?" He asked.
"Better," Sasha answered. "Still very sore, but definitely better."
"That's good to hear," Obi-Wan nodded. "You gave us all quite a fright. Especially me."
"I know," Sasha looked away. "Basha and Drum explained it to me back on the ship. I'm sorry that I scared you like that. He didn't leave me much choice."
Obi-Wan frowned. "I know. But he is gone."
"He's dead?" Sasha asked, stunned.
"No," he shook his head. "Maul somehow escaped, but he is in no condition to chase us. And I know that's not what you want to hear, but don't worry, we will be ready the next time he tries anything. We can't let our fear of what he has done to us drive us. Not anymore."
Sasha looked down at her hands in her lap. "It's okay. I figured he may still be out there, but can you blame me for being afraid? After everything he did to me? To us?" She swallowed. "Master, I thought I was actually going to die during all of this and that scared me more than it should. Not a good quality in a Jedi Knight."
"Sasha, being afraid is a natural feeling to have," Obi-Wan began. "If I may be honest, I was also afraid, very afraid… that I may lose you too." Sasha stared at him, stunned. He continued before she could respond. "When Maul killed Satine and I was plagued with those nightmares, the only thing I felt was fear. Fear that my brother and his family could be targeted. Fear that Anakin could be the next one to fall. Fear that you could be the next one Maul kills. I let that drive me to make reckless decisions. Like jumping out of a moving gunship to try and stop him. Or allowing myself to face him alone even though I knew it was a trap. But if it meant you and Anakin survived then I would do it again.
"But when you were taken, I was scared to my core that I'd find you in a horrid state, dying in my arms like my nightmares. That I'd lose you just like I lost Satine and Master Qui-Gon. That I'd be helpless to do anything to protect you and save you. But that didn't happen." He placed a hand on her knee, her good knee. "Anakin and the Clones were there to back me up. Scamp did everything in his power to protect you at all costs. And Maul was defeated, even if he did survive falling off a cliff."
Sasha was taken aback by how nonchalantly he said that last sentence. And the fact Maul survived a fall like that. But she held her tongue until he was finished.
"Don't feel ashamed for being afraid," Obi-Wan continued after a moment. "Just remember to not let your fear drive you as that is a path to the dark side. A path Maul probably wanted the both of us to fall into."
"Probably," she said, absently. "It does make me feel better knowing that you felt the same way I did. That my feelings are okay." She paused for a long moment. "Did you mean what you said back there? About me becoming a Jedi Knight?" She asked, changing the subject.
"Every word of it," he assured her. "Why do you ask?"
"I was just… stunned when you said it. I thought I'd be ready for when you finally made that decision, but I didn't expect it right then and there. At that moment where I thought I'd never see you again. Then the thought that you'd never see me become a knight came to mind. And that I failed you as an apprentice by letting you die," she admitted, quietly. "But I couldn't stop thinking about it and I felt like you misjudged me, and you were just saying that as a dying wish. Because I don't feel I deserve to be a knight after what happened. I acted like a scared child in front of Anakin and the Clones when we left you behind. I was helpless to save myself from Maul's clutches. I narrowly escaped and he still caught me." She put her head in her hands. And I let Satine die when I could have helped you save her. But she didn't have the strength to admit that to him. She was still so worried with how he'd respond if or when she did.
"Sasha, what happened with this incident doesn't change my decision," Obi-Wan started with a furrowed brow. "Yes, you experienced fear in a way you've never had to before. Your life was in danger and you were in a position that you had no control over. But you still tried to escape, you stood up to Maul multiple times, and you looked out for the others around you before yourself. Even despite your critical state. But Sasha even with all of that in mind, the reason I believe you are ready to be a knight is because you've grown so much since being in my care."
"Really?" She asked, stunned.
"Yes," Obi-Wan nodded. "Look, when Master Yoda assigned you to me, I questioned why. Not because I didn't want you as my padawan, but why one only a year younger than Anakin with such incredible saber skills and Force abilities still needed a mentor. The question baffled me for the first several months we had together. It wasn't until the incident with the Samikutso that it finally clicked."
She frowned, nervous of what he was going to say.
"You and I are very similar," he continued. She looked confused. "While you weren't originally my padawan, you and I share many similar traits. And the traits that I recognized in you were involving attachments and self doubt. Things that even myself have struggled with over the years." She looked away at that. "But you learned to master those and make them strengths. You don't fear grieving for those you've lost and that is an acceptable response to have, but you instead do the next right thing and move on in order to see through with the mission success. The way you treat the Clones like they are your own brothers, but still remember your role in all of this that they don't lose sight of your status. Even your relationship with Cayden." She looked at him at this point. "You two have managed to not let your feelings for one another drive you to make reckless decisions and still remember what's most important to you both. I obviously won't tell the Council about that when I give them my decision.
"Nonetheless, you have impressed me at every turn, on every mission we've been on. You've faced down powerful foes without any hesitation. You follow your instincts and they have not led you astray. And I foresee that you will only grow stronger as you continue this journey. But you, like I, had to learn how to control your emotions, your attachments and confidence in order to grow." He paused. "I was head strong as a padawan. I made many mistakes and lost many I cared deeply for. And I doubted my abilities and my place at Qui-Gon's side for years. It wasn't until I lost him and had to step into the mantel of mentor to Anakin that I tried to become the master I needed but never got. And I was wrong. And I think that's why Master Yoda assigned us together."
Sasha shook her head, confused. "Because of Anakin?"
"No, because I still had one last lesson to learn in order to become a proper master. Like you had one last lesson to learn to become a knight," he clarified. "I was stern and strict and hard on Anakin. I felt like I was failing as his mentor because he was so different from every other padawan in the Temple. And when he became a knight, I felt like he wasn't ready. But he was and he has proven that every day of this war. I was the one not ready to see him move on, because I doubted my abilities as a Master. Until I became yours." He reached over and offered his hand.
Sasha looked down at his hand then back at him, speechless. She slowly took his hand.
"You taught me so much in our short time together. Like love and compassion and balance. That while Anakin is like my brother, you have become like a daughter to me. And I'm so proud of what you have become. You are ready for knighthood, Sasha, more than I ever was," he finished.
She stared at Obi-Wan with stunned silence. Tears rimmed her eyes as those words settled in her mind. Every word felt genuine and true, and with so much heart and love like a proud father would say to their child. But would he still feel that way once she told him about Satine? She couldn't keep the secret longer.
"Master, I…" She started, but the words struggled speak.
"I didn't mean to overwhelm you with all of that," Obi-Wan said, softly. "You asked and I wanted you to know."
"No, I understand," Sasha responded. "I'm just taken aback by all of it. But thank you, Master." She paused for a long moment. "Bu-"
"Of course, padawan," Obi-Wan said, nodding. He stood from his seat. "I should let you rest. You must be exhausted. I'll stop by later."
"O-okay," Sasha stuttered. "Master?" She asked, stopping him at the door. "There's a story I want to tell you later. I just remembered it, but… but I'm pretty tired right now." She fibbed. She was strangely awake at the moment even despite her body still recovering.
"Then I'll come back later so I can hear it," Obi-Wan replied, intrigued. "For now, rest well, Sasha." He turned and disappeared into the hall beyond.
Sasha rested back against the bed. She pressed her palms to her eyes and tried to think. How was she going to tell Obi-Wan now after everything he said to her. She got no sleep that night as that plagued her mind.
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