Voldy's Pink Teddy - I was recently inspired to write again.

Incognito12 - Thank you. I really enjoy writing the interactions between both Ben and Obi-Wan and Anakin and Xanatos in this.

Guest - Yes, it lives.

Chapter 31

"Stop, Padawan."

Ben staggered under his mentor's weight, every muscle crying out for him to comply with the pained request. The first rays of sunlight were cutting into the morning sky. He had pushed on all night and was utterly exhausted, but still brimming with determination. "I can make it just a little further before any patrols start, Master. We will be closer …"

"Ben … stop."

After searching the immediate area for somewhere hidden, he shrugged his master off his shoulder, easing him as gently as possibly to the ground. Obi-Wan let out a deep sigh, obviously glad to be lying down. Ben couldn't imagine how uncomfortable it was hoisted over someone's shoulder and was certain it wasn't the best thing for the Jedi master's injuries. He pulled back the robe and removed the dressings, trying not to grimace at the red swelling around the blaster wound, evidence of infection beginning to set in, or the darkened spots on his master's skin indicating there was some internal bleeding. Obi-Wan's skin was pale, clammy, and cold to the touch, his breath coming in shallow, rapid pants. Ben choked back the lump in his throat that came with facing a simple reality –one he didn't want to face. If they didn't get help soon, his master would die.

"Master … we need to move on. If I keep to the forested areas, I can avoid the patrols."

"We should wait here for the rescue party, Padawan."

The edge in his master's weary voice was that of an order, rather than a suggestion, but Ben wasn't inclined to easily give in this time.

"You are going into shock and I need to get you …"

"Ben." Obi-Wan reached out and grabbed his hand, pinning him down with a gentle stare. "Even if you get me to the neutral territory, you read the briefing. Medical facilities are inadequate."

"Master …"

"I remember being in a prison cell with Master Qui-Gon," Obi-Wan said, cutting off the protest. "I must have been eighteen years old– not much older than you. I don't recall what planet, but my master was injured badly, and I was frantic. I was trying to claw my way under the wall with my bare hands. He told me something that day."

"What did he say?"

"Either the rescue party will get here in time, or it won't. You can not change that."

Ben dropped his head. "I didn't come after you only to have you give up."

"Oh, I have no intention of giving up, Padawan."

There was something about his master's calm acceptance of their situation that gave him hope, and he began to do what he could to make Obi-Wan more comfortable.

Ben woke in a panic, fighting back sleep-deprived eyelids. There had been a stirring in the Force, something he had never felt before and was unable to explain; only that he could have sworn he sensed another presence. But, no one else was near. He looked up and could see the sun beginning its journey out of the sky. Although he had probably only been out for about a half an hour, he berated himself for carelessly dozing off. Quickly, he shifted his attention to Obi-Wan. His master was even paler than before, his breathing now ragged with the beginnings of fever. And he was still … so still, only his mouth moving as he seemed to mumble something. Ben put a hand to his shoulder, leaning in to try and listen.

"Hurts," came the slight whisper.

"I'm sorry. I have nothing more to give you." Ben placed a hand on his master's forehead, trying to send healing currents of Force. He felt inadequate for the task, but soon saw the lines in his master's face ease.

"So tired."

"I need you to hang on until the rescue party gets here," Ben said, taking Obi-Wan's hand in his own. "You said you wouldn't give up."

"Stay with me, Master," Obi-Wan murmured, causing Ben to pause.

"Master, it's me, Ben," he said softly.

"I miss you. Please stay."

Ben didn't know what his master might be seeing in a fever-induced delirium, but wanted to comfort him. "I'm not going anywhere, Obi-Wan," he said warmly.

Ben was confused. The conversation that had begun with him posing as Master Jinn was now lost, his master seeming to babble to himself. He resisted the urge to pick Obi-Wan up and run again. It would be better than sitting and watching his condition deteriorate.

"That doesn't surprise me in the least." The laughter and first clear words he had heard in some time startled him. "When has Xan ever listened … especially to you."

Before Ben could consider what he had heard, the sound of his comlink interrupted.

"Padawan Itires," he said, fumbling to answer.

"Good. We got here in time." There was a pause. "This is Master Nuran. I need you to turn your tracking signal on so we can find you."

"Master Nuran." Force, it was good to hear a healer's voice. "My master is badly injured and if the hostiles here pick up on that signal, we will be swarmed."

"My pilot assures me he can get there in time."

"Okay," Ben said hesitantly. He had no other choice, really. He turned the signal back on, waiting to hear a reply.

"We've got you," she said. "We will be there shortly."

The Force had been a tranquil pool, the slight change in circumstances disturbing it as though a rock had been cast into the middle. The spirals of disturbance grew, even Obi-Wan in his delirious state seeming to sense the increased tension. Danger surrounded them on all sides. It wasn't long before Ben heard the first sounds he recognized as a patrol in the distance and clutched the grip of his saber tightly.

"Come on," he whispered, as though his voice could urge his rescuers on.

He caught sight of an approaching patrol ship, then suddenly a transport seemed to cut in from nowhere at an impossible angle. The landing ramp was down and Master Nuran stood at the end with her saber ignited. "I'll cover you," she called.

Though it occurred to Ben that he had never seen Master Nuran outside the Temple walls, and definitely not wielding a lightsaber, he didn't hesitate. Picking up Obi-Wan, he made a run for the ramp as blaster fire began to pepper the immediate area. He made the jump, vaguely aware of the healer deflecting the attack, continuing to protect them as they made their way into the safety of the vessel. The landing ramp closed and Ben squeezed his eyes shut, gulping in deep breaths. Before he knew what had hit him, two healers and Healer Nuran rushed Obi-Wan into another room and the door closed behind them.

The young Jedi sat on the floor trembling for a moment. Outside he could hear the flare of blasters, the ship pitching as the pilot maneuvered through the threat. He let out a long sigh of relief as he finally felt the vessel enter hyperspace. It wasn't long before he sensed someone approaching from behind. He turned to face the familiar presence.

"Master Muln."

Garen Muln, one of his master's best friends, helped him to his feet. "I had just arrived back on Coruscant and they said they needed a pilot who could fly into a war zone and out with little trouble."

"Thank you for coming." Ben wanted to reach out and throw his arms around the older Jedi's neck, but tried to compose himself. "Everything happened so fast …" He ran his hands through his hair, noticing for the first time the matted, sweaty mess it was.

"Shhh … you can tell me what happened later. Right now you need rest, and from the look of you, lots of it."

"No." Ben shook his head, only stilled by two hands on his shoulders. "I need to stay with him."

"I will wake you if there are any changes in your master's condition … good or bad."

Ben swayed, exhaustion waiting to overtake him. "You promise?" he asked, knowing he had no choice really. The adrenaline that had sustained him was leaving his body and he wondered if he would even make it to a bunk.

"You have my word."