Jedi Master Misty Sman-Esay – Overall, it is good for Telos to be out in the open even if it is painful at the time.
Incognito12 – Xanatos and Anakin are going to need a little help from their friends.
Dolphingirls – What Anakin must realize is that Xanatos would do anything to keep him from making the same mistakes.
prydain – I have this planned through AotC and Clone Wars right now. The AU spin will significantly change the RotS timeline, so not sure how that will work.
chibi heishi – I don't think the damage is permanent, just painful for a time.
Athalanta – I am enjoying the chance to write Anakin's character. While I think that Obi-Wan did his best as Anakin's master, I am also enjoying the chance of imagining how it would be different for Anakin with a master who would let him be himself.
Chapter 21
Ben awoke, vaguely aware that he was in his new room, though not exactly remembering how he had got there. He somewhat recalled walking through the halls of the residence wing where the assigned quarters were located, led by Master Obi-Wan's firm grip on his shoulder. It had been like a dream, him still half in shock from the day's events and utterly exhausted.
Sitting up, he stretched, grimacing at the protesting ache of strained, over-worked muscles and determined that cutting through walls must be harder work than it had seemed at the time. The subtle invasion of sunlight seeping around blinds lent enough light for him to read the time on the chronometer at his bedside.
He froze.
The time displayed had him fumbling to get up off the sleepcouch in a panic, his foot catching in the covers on his way out, dumping him unceremoniously to the ground. He scrambled to his feet and stepped out into the common room of the shared quarters. It was darker than his room and empty, and his heart fell for a moment at the assumption that his master obviously had started the day without him. He reached out with his senses to see where Obi-Wan was, surprised to find that he was in their quarters.
The door to the other room was opened slightly and from where he was standing he could see a rolled up cocoon of bedding bearing Obi-Wan's Force signature settled on the sleepcouch. He sat down on the sofa considering the new dilemma presented. Should he wake him or let him sleep? Was it even all right for him to go into his master's room?
The heap of blankets rustled. "I'm awake, Padawan," Obi-Wan called from the room.
Ben stood up and hesitantly approached the door as Obi-Wan sat up, untangling himself from the bundle of covers.
"Did you sleep well?" Obi-Wan asked, yawning slightly as he emerged from his room.
"A little too well," Ben said shyly. "We are usually finished with katas and morning meal by now."
"You don't think we deserved to sleep in after yesterday?"
"Umm …" It didn't seem like a trick question, but still had Ben looking for the catch. " I …"
Obi-Wan laughed out loud at his apprentice's apparent indecision.
"Ben, any idea you have of me being an early-riser comes strictly from discipline. I do enjoy the luxury of sleeping in, when circumstances permit. Xanatos will probably take great delight in telling you stories of Master Qui-Gon, a true early-riser, yanking covers off of me to wake me up when I was a padawan." He scratched at the side of his face absently. "I think that's when I started rolling them around me. After that, he just levitated me out of bed covers and all, and dropped me to the ground."
"Really?" Ben asked in disbelief. It was hard to imagine the dignified Jedi before him, floating through the air, half asleep. And, he found it even harder not to laugh at the image as evidenced by the modest snicker that escaped his lips.
"You laugh now …" Obi-Wan said, raising an eyebrow.
Ben quieted quickly, huddling in on himself. It was good to laugh with his new master, something he had always hoped he'd have during his time as a padawan. But he was still uncertain when he might be overstepping boundaries. The truth was, despite two weeks of training and morning meals, he was still getting to know Obi-Wan. The Jedi knight had a silent, stern, disciplined side – that much was obvious. Yet, there was also this side that had a quirky, often sarcastic sense of humor that came bubbling out, sometimes at unexpected times. The truth be told, he had loved sharing morning meal if for nothing more than to watch the lighthearted bickering between Obi-Wan and Xanatos.
"I was teasing … Padawan."
Ben grinned at the thread of hesitancy and concern that laced his master's voice. Perhaps Obi-Wan felt as awkward as he did.
"I know, Master."
"Good." Obi-Wan seemed to sigh in relief. "Are you feeling okay today?"
"I'm a little sore …" The stern gaze he was already learning to dread bore into him. "Okay, really sore."
"You know what the best thing for that is, don't you?"
"No," he said, although he was afraid he actually did know the answer.
"Some light katas will work some of that soreness out." Obi-Wan paused, seeming to know his new apprentice would cringe at the very thought of swinging a saber. "But perhaps something to eat would be best now."
Obi-Wan wandered into the kitchenette with his arms folded in front of him as though he were trying to decide what to do next. He picked up a kettle and filled it with water, setting it on a burner to start boiling. A package on the counter caught his attention and he drifted over, unwrapping the foil covering.
"Ah. It appears Bant baked us some muffins yesterday as a housewarming gift."
Healer Bant was Mon Calamari, and that fact alone sent Ben's mind spinning with images of muffins plump full of bits of fish … or worse. He must have betrayed something through his expression or through the bond he was still adjusting to because he heard an amused chuckle.
"Don't worry Padawan. Her master was human. She knows what tastes normal to us."
Obi-Wan carried the package over to the small table along with the kettle, pouring them both a cup of tea. Ben hesitantly took the first nibble.
"How is it?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Pretty good," Ben said before taking a bigger bite.
As the pair devoured the muffins, they talked about an agenda for the day. Obi-Wan decided it would be simplest for Ben to just resume classes at the beginning of the next week. They would go have a light session with katas, then perhaps drop by and check on Anakin. In the afternoon, Ben would at last get his haircut and they could go ahead with finishing their plans for a braiding ceremony.
Ben noticed Obi-Wan pause again. "Is something wrong Master?"
"No, nothing is wrong," Obi-Wan said with a slight smile ghosting his features. "You did well yesterday. I couldn't have asked for more from you, especially considering it was your first time in a hostile situation."
"You and Master Xanatos protected us and got us out of there. I just finished cutting a hole in a wall."
"And, in doing so, likely saved our lives. You didn't panic, even when blasters were fired at you, and were able to protect Anakin. I'm very proud of you."
Ben felt the heat of a blush creeping into his cheeks and was certain he was positively beaming. "Thank you, Master."
"Now let's get ready and go work out some of that soreness."
Ben let out a mock groan as he got up from the table. He quickly changed into training clothes. As he emerged from his room, the front door chimed. Obi-Wan rushed from his own room, apparently sensing something he didn't, waving his hand to open the door before arriving.
Xanatos stumbled in. "Obi-Wan I need to talk to you," he blurted out. His voice quivered, betraying that he was barely hanging on to his composure.
"Is Anakin okay?" Obi-Wan said with great concern.
"Fine, he's fine." The Jedi master's face was arranged carefully, but he seemed to be unable to hide the anguish in his eyes. Ben stifled his disappointment, sensing that something was about to once again come between him and his master, and their plans.
"Master?" Ben said. "I haven't had a chance to thank Jared and Borhan for moving us yesterday. If I go now, I can catch them during morning break. Is that okay with you?"
Obi-Wan nodded his head sending a heartfelt apology and gratitude through their bond. "That's fine, Padawan."
Ben quickly left the quarters, leaving the two older Jedi alone.
"I owe your Padawan greatly. Anakin and I have made it impossible for him to have a normal first couple of days as an apprentice," Xanatos said sadly as the door closed behind Ben. He took a seat on the sofa and stared down at the floor as Obi-Wan sat down next to him. "It was kind of him to excuse himself."
"What's wrong?" Obi-Wan asked, angling in so he could face him more.
"I had to tell Anakin about Telos." Obi-Wan found he was speechless, completely understanding the reason for his friend's distress. "Apparently the Sith was aware or had sensed that I had fallen to the Darkside at one time and put a lot of questions in Anakin's mind."
Obi-Wan reached out and cupped his hands over Xanatos' to still the slight trembling. "How did Anakin take it?"
"He asked me to leave so he could have time alone to think." A couple of tears cut down his face. "Obi-Wan … he was afraid … of me."
"Anakin has been through quite an ordeal. Are you certain you were the cause of the fear?"
"I know what I sensed." There was slight edge to his voice. "It's exactly what the Sith wanted, you know." Obi-Wan didn't like the anger that surfaced in Xanatos' eyes. "The overwhelming Darkness, the brutal deaths - he wanted Anakin to associate me with that," he whispered. "His goal was to pollute the trust Anakin has in me."
"Anakin knows you Xan," Obi-Wan reassured. "You are his master. Deep down he knows that you are not a Darksider and that he has nothing to fear from you." He made sure to make eye contact with his friend before saying, "And, he knows how much you care for him."
Xanatos looked away, unconvinced. Although usually able to hold his composure under even the most trying of circumstances, Obi-Wan noticed that Xanatos appeared deeply burdened from the events of the past two days. The dark circles under his eyes made Obi-Wan even more certain he was in need of some quality sleep before he faced any more.
"You look like you could use a break." Xanatos looked up at him sharply. "Anakin would probably benefit from some time away from the Temple as well."
"I doubt the Council or the healers would allow it right now," he said, running a hand through ebony locks.
"Perhaps if another master and padawan accompanied you … we had talked about taking them to Tusam IV."
"Are you sure Ben is up for more of Anakin and I?" Xanatos asked.
"I think he's getting used to the idea that you two are a part of my life and will be a part of his as well." Obi-Wan stood. "We can talk about it later. Right now you need sleep." He motioned to his room.
"I can't," Xanatos said, looking to the empty room. He let out a weary chuckle that expressed he would welcome it, but had too much on his mind. "I need to get back to the healers' ward …" Xanatos stood and began to walk towards the door.
Obi-Wan grabbed his arm, turning him so he could look him in the eyes. "Ben and I can sit with Anakin for a little while."
"I can't do that to you …"
"I insist." Obi-Wan allowed himself a smug smile. "You are going to need to be rested when Anakin wants to talk to you more."
Xanatos grumbled as he allowed himself to be led away. Hepulled his boots off and stretched out on the sleepcouch. "You know, I could go to my own quarters." Obi-wan answered by pulling blankets up over him, while nodding his head. "You are damn stubborn, you know that?" Xanatos scowled fighting heavy eyelids that were blinking rapidly.
"I learned to stand my ground from the best," Obi-Wan said as he knelt down beside the sleepcouch. He placed his hand on the side of Xanatos' head feeling an immediate block of the sleep suggestion.
"Nice try," the older Jedi murmured.
Gathering the Force deeply around him, Obi-Wan pushed a little harder, sensing Xanatos' resistance crumble as he drifted into a deep restful sleep.
Obi-Wan turned off the lights as he left his quarters, reaching out along his bond with his apprentice as he started for the healers' ward to tell him of the change in plans.