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I stand only for a moment and watch his bisected body descend,
lifeless, into the shaft beneath me. Then, without another
thought for my defeated foe, I turn and rush to your side,
cradle your body close to mine. Oh, Master, please... no...
"It is too late."
No, never too late. Yes, Master, I will train the boy, I
will... I will promise you anything if only you will not leave
me... but your finger touches my cheek, a fading echo of your
beloved touch, and your eyes close...
No! It is not your time! I refuse to accept this! Reaching out
blindly I feel for your life force, feel it fading away. I
reach for you, desperately trying to hold on, but the tighter I
grasp, the more quickly you slip away.
My thoughts a whirlwind, my emotions a tangle of terror and
grief, I try again, but again, the harder I try, the faster
your life Force fades, and you are almost gone from me, almost
one again with the Force.
Then, a single coherent thought in the midst of the maelstrom,
I hear your voice, a remembered lesson, or perhaps your dying
advice. Be calm, Padawan. Focus.
Yes, focus. Of course.
Still holding you close to me, unaware of the physical world
any longer, I take a deep breath and center my thoughts, my
feelings, my connection with the Force. Reaching out again, I
feel for you, find you, not much more than a spark but there
nonetheless.
I cradle that spark in the palm of my hand. Drawing the Force
around me, I feed it, gently, carefully, lest I extinguish it
with my own efforts to save it. For a moment, there is nothing,
and then, slowly, I feel your life Force growing stronger
again.
I meld my own with yours, giving strength gladly, rejoicing in
the energy, the connection. I have never been a healer, but I
wonder, fleetingly, if this is what it feels like. The sharing
is pleasure so strong it is almost painful, a depth we have
never before reached, you and I.
Eventually, I feel you join in the drawing, healing yourself.
Then, shortly, the Force begins to fade back to more normal
levels, and I become aware of the physical world around me once
more. I am still crouched at the edge of the power shaft, you
are still cradled in my arms, and as I watch, a bit dazed, your
eyes slowly blink open.
I am unable to find words, nothing can possibly express what I
am feeling. My face is wet with tears, but I think my grin must
truly reach from ear to ear. Yours, slower in forming, nearly
matches it.
"Obi-Wan."
My smile falters at the sound of your voice, raspy and weak
even now.
"M-master..." My voice breaks, and with it my composure.
Pulling you even closer, I bury my face in your hair and weep,
releasing my fear, my anger, letting it all go. I feel your
arms come around me, and your touch gently calms me, though you
do not reprimand me for my emotional outburst.
After a moment or two, I find control again, and lift my head.
Your expression is so tender, I nearly find myself in tears
again. But the time for that is past.
I clear my throat before trying to speak, and your eyes narrow
with amusement. My own smile is returning.
"Master."
"I am here," you respond. And that is all that I need to know.
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