Memories

Chapter 19.

She nodded, standing up and going to the cockpit. "I'll set course for Coruscant."

I smiled gratefully but remained where I was, kneeling on the ground with Anakin lying in my lap. "What are we going to do with you, my friend?" I asked softly, pushing the damp blond hair off his forehead. "What's been going on with your mother? It has caused you to be so distressed. Would you talk to me, Anakin? Would you tell me what you're feeling, my very young padawan?"

I gently turned him over, laying him on his back, and my fingers bumped into his crushed bionic hand. I flinched as the past engulfed me, taking me back to the hanger on Geonosis. 

I was on the ground, pain burning in my arm and leg, crippling me and leaving me to watch helplessly as Dooku raised his lightsaber. Then Anakin appeared out of nowhere, catching the red blade on his green one. I felt the care and the fear pouring through to me from my padawan, and guilt mixed with determination as he forced Dooku's saber away from me.

"Anakin!" I tossed him my lightsaber, so he caught it and began a ferocious duel with the Sith – Qui-Gon's master. How did he fall to the Dark Side? But my heart was pounding as I watched, with pangs of pride and worry, Anakin battling Dooku. He was a good fighter, but he had a strong opponent, and I could see he was struggling. 

I tried to get up and help, but the pain from my wounds effectively paralyzed me. My breath caught in my throat as I saw Anakin leave himself open. No. I'm so sorry, padawan ....

I shook my head, surprised by the tremble in my fingers. It was two years ago that had happened – two years to the day, in fact. A lot had changed on that day. We had all come away different, Anakin the most markedly. I had sensed a shift in our bond with him, one that I didn't like. He was tighter, darker, more secretive. But there was a distinct glow of light in him that hadn't been there before, a glow which he doggedly tried to hide from me, and the rest of the world. I was sure something painful had happened before he had come to Geonosis, and it concerned me what that was. I had never figured it out, but I knew it had left an ugly scar on his heart, try as he might to hide it from me. Then something had come and applied a gentle salve to that wound, though what that salve was I could never be sure. I had my guesses, my suspicions, but nothing was fact. I didn't want to ask or suggest anything to Anakin because I was certain he would feel accused and blamed and therefore would close off from me. But it still broke my heart to see him struggling like this and struggling alone.

"Master Kenobi, we're almost at Coruscant," Ahsoka called from the cockpit. I heard her take a breath, then she changed her mind and kept her mouth shut.

"Thank you, Ahsoka," I responded, then added with the slightest smile, "Anakin's doing fine." A warmth pulsed in the Force, and I knew I had guessed correctly that she had been about to ask after him.

I placed my hand on Anakin's forehead, pursing my lips at the heat that still emanated from him. He was still unconscious, and his breathing was light. I wasn't entirely happy with his condition. "Ahsoka, please ask for a medical stretcher to await our landing," I said calmly, trying not to worry her.

She glanced back, and I felt a spear of anxiety stabbing through the Force, but she nodded. "Yeah, sure. Of course."

A couple of minutes later, we had landed and were met by a medical team, who put Anakin on a hover stretcher and whisked him away.

I gave Ahsoka a gentle nudge. "You can follow him. I'll talk to the Council."

She flashed me a grateful smile, then padded after her master. I watched her go for a few moments, then sighed. I didn't feel like talking to the Council. But I straightened my back and headed for their chamber. People don't call me The Negotiator for nothing.

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Poor Obi. I still love him. He's such a nice guy. I liked doing the flashback with him; it was interesting to see that Geonosian duel from his point of view and to get a taste of what he was feeling. Plus, I thought his musings afterwards were interesting. He knows something is up with Anakin and Padmé, but he's just not quite sure what it is .... His wonderings may be put to rest later ....

I hope this chapter was a bit lighter on the action and gave us a bit of down time after our intense Anakin chapters! That kid's got a lot of issues, but we love him all the same. XD

We'll be jumping to Anakin's POV next chapter, methinks. Get ready for some Ahsoka tears! And just fyi, I write Anidala, so Anakin and Ahsoka's relationship is more brother-sister. :)

Btw, thanks for reading! We're over 200 reads! Thanks so much, everybody!! :D