Pawn of Darkness

Chapter 18
Staring and pacing, that seemed to be all he had done in the last three days. Three days and still not a word on Arianna. He was beginning to think the healer may have made a mistake. She had all but admitted that she had no idea how to actually deal with what was wrong with her. Maybe she had tried something that hadn't worked.
He stopped pacing long enough to stare out the view port at the stars rushing by. They had left dock two days ago. Arianna would be furious with him for taking her against her will. She was such an independent woman. He had wanted a chance to explain himself before they left.
She was moved yesterday to a room of her own, a guarded room, of course, but still it wasn't sickbay. There was nothing they could do for her there now anyway. At least she wouldn't wake with people all around her staring at her like some kind of science experiment.
He glanced at the silent communicator on his desk and wondered for the hundredth time if it were perhaps broken. Then like every other time, he reminded himself that if he didn't answer it someone would come find him. Everyone on the ship knew how important the sleeping woman was to their commanding officer by now. Word spread quickly even on a ship the size of the Justice.
He walked back to his desk yet again and slumped down into the comfortable chair. He had to get some work done.
That is when the comm finally twerped at him, startling him and making him jump as it broke the silence.
He pushed the small black button on the machine quickly.
" Kenobi. " he said, clearly in an almost biting tone. If this was someone disturbing him with yet another problem they could handle on their own, he would have them court marshaled.
The Master healer's voice was soft, almost muffled as she spoke. " She\wakewake. " was all she said.
Obi-Wan was on his feet before she finished the sentence. " I'm on my way. " he called, turning off the comm with a flick of his hand as he made his way to the door.
He didn't so much as pause, ignoring everyone that tried to grab his attention as he went, until he reached her door.
His stomach fluttered a bit and he realized he was actually nervous about facing her. He had faced things that he never wanted to speak of again. He had made it through places he was certain he would not see the outside of again. He had done it all fearlessly, never letting his emotions get the better of him, always in control. But now staring at the back of the door, he was afraid to face the wrath of the woman on the other side.
He glanced sideways at the guards to either side of the door.
" How is she ? " he asked, quietly to neither of them in particular.
The young man to his left grimaced and shook his head mournfully. The one on the right shifted his feet.
" She is not a happy lady, Sir. " he answered quietly.
" Has men mentioned me ? "
" Yes, Sir. Several times. You are her favorite subject when she gets particularly loud, Sir." the officer said, sympathetically.
Obi-Wan reached for the silver disk that activated the door.
" Good luck, Sir. " the officer on the left added quietly as the door opened with a swish.
Arianna sat with her back to him, her long black hair braided tightly and draped over her shoulder. She wore a black flight suit. Her arms were crossed in front of her chest and one leg was crossed over the other in a posed that instantly put him on the defensive. Anger flowed around her like a menacing cloud.
" They said they would call you. I see you didn't waste anytime getting here. " she said flatly, still not turning towards him.
" Arianna, " he began in a voice barely above a whisper. " I can explain. "
" Is this how you get all your women ? " she hissed. " Do you knock them all unconscious and carry them to you ship over your shoulder like some barbarian with a prize ? Why didn't you just drag me by the hair ? "
Obi-Wan walked to the chair where she sat and put his hand gingerly on her shoulder.
" Anna, Please don't be angry with me. I did what I had to do. Surely you can see that. Surely, you understand. " he said, chiding himself silently for the pathetic tone of his voice.
" I understand that you wasted your time and your energy. I would have come willingly if you had asked. " she spat, shrugging his hand away and standing so abruptly that his hand fell to his lightsaber before he realized what he was doing.
He looked at her for a moment and took a hesitant step back. She was so angry., more angry than he expected her to be. Rage flowed from her in waves.
" Anna, I had to bring you here. I couldn't just leave you. " he defended himself. " It was the only choice I had. "
" You could have asked. After everything that happened, I wouldn't have hesitated. I wanted nothing more than to leave with you. I told you I loved you, was that not enough for you to trust me ? " she continued.
Obi-Wan's mind spun out of control. That had not been the way it had happened. Finally light dawned on him and he understood her anger.
" Anna, I did ask you to come with me. " he told her softly. " We argued for several minutes and when I became insistent you tried to grab my lightsaber. I think you would have killed me if I hadn't stopped you. "
Arianna's anger faltered. Her face was taken completely aback. Dropping her arms to her sides, she turned away from him.
He crossed to her slowly and softly touched her shoulder. She spun towards him so quickly he thoushe she would hit him, but instead she threw herself against his chest. Her muffled sobs echoed throughout the room. He held her to him, crushing her body against his reassuringly.
" It 's okay, Anna. It's almost over now. Once we get you to the temple the healers there will take care of you. " he whispered over her cries.
She pulled back from him slightly and looked into his eyes.
" Twice now I have tried to kill you. How can you still look at me like that ? " she asked.
Obi-Wan smiled slowly. " Because I love you. " he answered, without the slightest pause.
" I am dangerous to you. " she said trying to pull away from him. He just held her tighter, refusing to lose the feel of her in his arms.
" We are not having this discussion again. There is no way you are going to rid yourself of me now. I am afraid you are stuck and there is nothing you can do that will change that. I am not going anywhere. " he said, into her hair, as he leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
He felt her body slack and mold against his. Reaching out with his force sense, he enveloped her in feelings of protection and reassurance. He heard a soft moan escape from her and he knew in that instant that he would never let anything come between them again.


THE END