Pawn of Darkness

Chapter 16

Soft, filtered lighting covered the large corridor with a yellow glow. The low, ever present hum of the ships machinery was the only sound other than Obi-Wan's footfalls as he paced in front of the doors to sickbay. Fatigue assaulted his battered body. He wanted nothing more than to take his healer's advice and rest, but he knew he couldn't leave. He wouldn't leave until he knew she was okay. He couldn't. It was that simple.
He stopped at the viewport just as he had many times in the last six hours. His eyes caught the movement outside the ship from the repair crews and space port, but his mind registered nothing aside from the fact that Arianna laid on a table only a mere few feet from him, people fighting for her sanity, perhaps even her life surrounded her, yet he was completely helpless.
He felt guilty for suppressing her consciousness the way he did, but he had no choice. Whether she had become a danger to herself or him, he couldn't be certain. All he knew was that he had to get her help.
Upon entering the ship he learned that long range communications were back on line and as soon as he was checked out by the ship's healers, he made the call to the Temple, telling them everything that had happened. After hearing the entire story, Master Windu insisted that Obi-Wan return Anna to the Temple.
Now he really had no choice. Arianna would come to Corescant whether she wanted to or not. He only hoped she would forgive him for the decision had been compelled to make as he looked through the window in the door and saw the guard he had posted standing sentinel.
His eyes burned with exhaustion. He shook his head and tried to clear away the fog that threatened to consume him. His body ached and his nerves still tingled from the aftermath of the attack he had suffered only hours before.
Sighing impatiently, he leaned his tired form against the bulkhead and crossed his arms on his chest.
Finally the door opened with a hiss and a slender blond woman filled the space wearing the blue robes of a healer.
Obi-Wan pushed himself off the bulkhead with a great amount of effort and took a step towards her.
" General Kenobi, I thought I insisted once already that you get some rest. " she chided.
" I couldn't leave. " he answered, weakly. " I had to know she was all right. "
The woman gave an exasperated sigh, " She will be fine I believe. Of course we will have no way of knowing for sure until we reach Corescant and let the Healers at the temple examine her. We have just never seen anything like what we're dealing with. Her mind is a mess. There was so much hidden and shielded we can't be sure of anything right now. "
He felt his heart lurch at her words. " But she will be all right ? " he asked, though it sounded more like a command.
" She is sleeping peacefully right now. Which is exactly what I wyou you to be doing. You underwent a particularly brutal attack earlier. Don't make me use my authority as Master Healer to order you to bed. " she threatened.
Obi-Wan could see by the look on her face that she was not to be trifled with. He took a defeated breath and his chest clinched in agony as a result. " Okay, " he agreed. " I will go to my quarters, but I want to be informed the moment she awakens. "
The woman nodded her head. " Agreed. But don't expect it for some time. I have put her in a heavy trance like state. I'm hoping that some of the damage to her psyche will repair itself while she sleeps. "
" How long will she be out ? "
She crossed her arms in front of her tiredly. " I can't say for sure, could be hours, could be days. "
Obi-Wan groaned inwardly at the thought of her waking up, flying through space heading for the Jedi Temple. She would be so angry with him. He had hoped he would have another chance to talk to her before they left port. They still had a day, perhaps he would still get his chance.

Several hours later, Obi-Wan sat behind a large gray desk in the Captain's office, pouring over several data pads that laid scattered in front of him. His headache had finally subsided after a good nights sleep, but his body still ached miserably. He had contemplated staying in his quarters for the day and resting, in the end responsibility had won out. He had so many things to take care of before leaving port. He cursed himself inwardly for so seriously neglecting his duties in the week they had been ashore. There were so many things that demanded the captain's attention on a vessel the size of the Justice. He had not attended to any of them since Arianna stepped back into his life.
Even now that he found himself desperately in need of getting some work done, he caught himself staring off into space, his mind definitely not on the data pad in his hands.
He leaned back and began to stroke his beard lazily. She still hadn't woken from the trance the healers put her in. He had been to see her several times. Twice he sat by her bed, watching her sleep. She seemed so peaceful and content. He'd closed his eyes and remembered her laying in his arms.
A comm buzzer ringing into life brought his attention back to the present.
" General Kenobi " he answered into a small black device on the corner of his desk.
" General, there is a man here wanting to see that young lady you brought aboard, says his name is Talius Yews. " the voice of his head of security said from the speaker.
" Bring him to me. " Obi-Wan answered.
Standing from the desk, he cursed out loud as he began to pace the length of the office. d fod forgotten about Talius with everything that had happened in the last few days.
When his office door chimed he squared his shoulders, took a deep breath and opened it with a wave of his hand.
Talius walked into the office with a heavy scowl on his face. He came to Obi-Wan and put his hands on his hips.
" Where is she ? " he asked, in a surprisingly quiet voice.
" She is in my sick bay. " Obi-Wan answered, coolly.
" Gregon said she was being taken to the Jedi Temple on Corescant. Why ? " he continued, in the same quiet tone.
Obi-Wan sighed and walked back behind his desk. Sng dng down, and crossing his arms in front of his chest, he leaned back. " Talius, there are many things you don't understand about this situation. "
Talius sat in the large chair in front of the desk and crossed his arms as well. " Then why don't you explain them to me. "
" I don't know where to begin. "
" Start with why you're here. " Taliuferefered.
" I am here in shore leave this time. The first time I came here it was to find a Jedi. " he began. Talius listened as Obi-Wan told him the story of Arianna's father, his plans fer aer and her work as an assassin.
" So you see, I have no choice now, but to take her back to the Temple. Her mental health my very well depend on it. The healers at the Temple are the only ones that can truly make her complete again. "
Talius nodded his understanding. " Where do you fit in all this ? I mean, I'm not stupid. I saw the way you looked at her that first night. "
Obi-Wan frowned at him, judging his reaction to what he was about to say. " I love her. " he answered, after a moment, simply.
Talius nodded again. " I see. What about her ? Does she feel the same ? "
Obi-Wan gave him a weak smile. " I certainly hope so. "
Talius stared at him for a long while before standing. " I hope so too. I know how it feels to love someone who doesn't love you. "
" Talius, I really am sorry you got caught in the middle of all this. I'm sorry you got hurt. " Obi-Wan offered, sympathetically.
Talius smiled at him ruefully. " It's my own fault. She always said she didn't want a serious relationship. I was the one that took it further than she ever intended it to go. I guess she was waiting for you. "
" I haven't stopped thinking of her since I left her twelve years ago. I've never felt so strongly about anyone. " Obi-Wan told him.
" Just promise me you'll take care of her. " he said, before turning towards the door.
" On my honor. " Obi-Wan agreed.
" That means a lot coming from you. " Talius answered.
" Thank you. I hope you find someone who deserves you. "
" I will. " he said.
Then he was gone.
Obi-Wan leaned back in his chair again and heaved a sigh of relief.