Chapter 4
Corla was amazed at how quickly Vic got through to the High Council and when Masters Yoda and Mace Windu appeared on the holo-unit, she felt her palms become sweaty with nervousness. All her life she'd heard about these two beings, read about them in history books, seen them on the holo-vid news reports and here she was discussing a patient of hers with the likes of them.
Her contemplation of this unbelievable event cost her the few seconds it took to present a measured graceful bow rather than the hurried clumsy one she managed. Corla silently cursed her awkwardness in the face of meeting two of her heroes.
"Master Yoda and Master Windu," Vic said calmly. "I'd like to introduce Knight Corla Inu, our Senior Healer and the one who has been treating Obi-Wan's injuries."
Corla bowed again, trying to look as dignified as possible.
"Meet you a pleasure it is." Yoda nodded to both Elskin Jedi. "When of Obi-Wan's bonding, I heard. Meditated on the meaning, I did. More information we need. Healer Inu, speak to Knight Skywalker immediately, I must."
Corla and Vic exchanged a look, and then Corla excused herself.
Mace shifted in his seat, "Tell me Vic, this last exchange -- was it Force-enhanced?"
"Yes, very much so. Knight Kenobi and Anakin -- I mean Knight Skywalker -- realized that the original bond between Knight Kenobi and his former master, Qui-Gon Jinn had been usurped at about the same time. They both reached for the bond simultaneously causing it to deepen even more. However, where Knight Kenobi became distraught over the loss of the old bond, Knight Skywalker found the probing --- um, pleasurable."
"What do you mean `pleasurable`?" Mace asked.
"I mean he experienced an orgasm," Vic said, discomfort coloring his tone. "Corla and I then put them to sleep. The room was literally vibrating with the force during the whole incident."
"The state of the bond now?" Mace asked as he rested his chin on two pyramided fingers.
"It is fully open, but unstable. I believe Knight Kenobi is suffering from a mild case of psychic shock. We are keeping him sedated for now. Anakin is feeling a strong sense of guilt and rejection. He won't leave Knight Kenobi's side even though I've explained to him that while Obi-Wan is sedated it is unnecessary for him to stay close."
Vic momentarily hesitated and then asked, "Please Master Yoda, is it true that the bond Obi-Wan shared with Master Jinn was a life-bond?"
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Mace looked over at his old friend Yoda, needing the answer to this question as well. The possibility of Obi-Wan or Qui-Gon, for that matter, being life-bonded without his knowledge hurt greatly.
Yoda nodded, his ears low and trembling, "Bonded they were in the last few months of Qui-Gon's life. Much wiser the Force is than us. Qui-Gon was able to show Obi-Wan who the Sith Lord was through that bond. Terrible carnage would the galaxy have suffered if the Sith Lord had lived."
"When I got back from the Kapron mission, I was shocked to find out that Obi-Wan had suffered a break down and was being kept in isolation at the Alderaan facility. I can't believe he kept this from me all these years," Mace said quietly.
"Discharged from Alderaan too soon, was he. Needed to go back the second time he did," Yoda declared.
"The second time?" Vic asked.
Mace turned to Vic and explained further, feeling that as Anakin's Master he deserved to know as much as possible. "Two years into Obi- Wan's mission the Council recalled Obi-Wan from the field and commanded he attend a disciplinary review. In the review the Council learned of his questionable methods and unlawful acts, including mind control and sexual indiscretions. Healer Toyin, who'd treated him at the Alderaan facility, testified that Obi-Wan was showing signs of increased instability and that another breakdown was eminent unless he submitted to further treatment."
Yoda nodded. "Right, Toyin was. Let it go too long we did."
"Although his treatment at the Alderaan facility seemed to do more harm than good." Mace said defensively. "And Obi-Wan *was* getting results. He killed the Zabrakian Sith and stopped the civil war on He'son practically single-handedly."
Mace took a deep breath and continued, "The hearing dragged on for days, with Obi-Wan barely able to maintain his composure. When Toyin gave her testimony, he became irate and accused her of "getting off" on his so called treatment, which he said was nothing more than mind rape. He gave a terrifying and detailed report on the Sith activity that was occurring simultaneously throughout the galaxy then warned the Council that their narrow-minded view and stringent adherence to the Jedi code would tie his hands and destroy us all one day."
Mace paused, "Obi-Wan's speech rang true for many on the Council that day, despite his somewhat excessive emotionalism. It was decided that a vote would be taken the next day after everyone had time to meditate on the testimony."
Mace paused momentarily as he recalled what happened later that evening, when Obi-Wan had shown up at his apartment ranting and railing against Toyin and the Council. He pleaded for Mace to do something, vowing he would never go back to Alderaan or suffer more treatment at Toyin's hands. Mace tried to calm and reason with his young friend, but one thing led to another and they'd ended up in bed together.
Mace brought himself out of his reflections and continued, "That night I met with Obi-Wan and discussed his behavior and what needed to change. He agreed to let me supervise his activities from then on. The next day I went to the hearing and appeased Toyin and the others by vouching for Obi-Wan's sanity and vowing to take stewardship of Obi-Wan's mission and well being." Mace realized now that he'd been a fool, allowing himself to be manipulated over and over again by his friend all these years. "I was convinced I could help him, keep him in the Light." He paused. "I was afraid we'd lose him if I didn't."
"Master of coercion and manipulation has young Obi-Wan become. To the dark-side, he nearly fell," Yoda said, looking pointedly at Mace. "Protect him and others we need to."
"One thing I don't understand," Vic said softly sensing that there was a much more personal side to the story than what he was hearing. "Why did Healer Toyin keep Obi-Wan isolated and why move him from the Coruscant temple at all? You have the best Psychic Healers in the galaxy," Vic asked. "Usually a victim of post traumatic stress or psychic shock needs familiar surroundings and the comfort of friends and loved ones. Change and uncertainty is the worst thing for someone in what you have described was Obi-Wan's condition."
"Against Obi-Wan such knowledge could the Sith use," Yoda answered. "Greatly he suffered from the loss of the bond. Severed life-bonds, no one knew how to treat." Yoda lowered his eyes sorrowfully as he explained. "Toyin's methods were radical. Uncertain the young one's recovery was."
"He was a changed man when he returned to Coruscant," Mace added. "Nine cycles they had him and he came back bitter and morose with an obsessive need to wipe out the Sith. I was his friend. If I'd been here after Naboo perhaps I could have helped him."
"Help him you could not," Yoda said. "Help himself, Obi-Wan would not."
Mace sighed regretfully. "I thought he would improve in time, but when he didn't I blamed it on a weakness within him that had never been addressed. I see now that it was just too much for him, the loss of a life-mate as well as his master. The burden was too great for a young knight barely passed his trials. We should have done more. I should have done more."
"Helped, it could not be," Yoda said sharply, as he looked over at his fellow Councilor, obviously wanting to bring Mace back to the immediate problem. "Needed this bond is. Gone is the last of the Sith and with him, Obi-Wan's mission to avenge his bond-mate's death." Yoda continued with sadness glowing in his golden eyes. "Purpose for going on, Obi-Wan will not see. Now I see, that on the same path do Skywalker and Kenobi's destinies lie."
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The three masters silently contemplated this revelation and flinched when they heard a knock on Vic's outer door.
Corla walked in with a rumpled-looking Anakin behind her. They bowed to the two highest councilors in the Jedi order and then sat on a large ottoman in front of the holo-unit. Corla surreptitiously placed her hand on Anakin's leg to show her support.
"Knight Skywalker, many good things we have heard about you. Pleased about your bonding we are," Master Yoda said.
Anakin's head snapped up at this, hope clearly evident in his weary features. "You are?"
Yoda nodded. "Need much love Obi-Wan does. Damaged he has been by the Sith and by us. Help him you must."
Anakin smiled with hope shining in his eyes. "Yes, he is very sad and hurt. I want to help him, but he doesn't want me. He won't let me in. He blames me for the …," he broke off trying to maintain his composure.
Corla squeezed her friend's leg.
"Obi-Wan has been a friend of mine since he was a padawan. I assure you he has always been overly cautious about relationships, but after Qui-Gon's death he has withdrawn even further. You must withstand his every attempt to push you away. You must be stronger than he is, and I warn you now that he is an amazingly obstinate being," Mace said sternly, his voice reflecting his admiration and affection for Obi-Wan.
"Excuse me councilors, but how do we keep him here? Though he is not at full capacity yet, he is almost there. As it is, he Force-moved Anakin across the room and it was all Anakin could do to stop him. We are not powerful enough to keep him here against his will," Corla said firmly not believing that Knight Kenobi was ever going to accept the bond no matter what the councilors said.
Yoda nodded. "Yes. Strong in the Force is our Obi-Wan, but also loyal and dutiful he is. Do as I say, he will. Disobey an order, he will not."
"Tell me Anakin. When you reached for that bond, did you see it or feel it? Mace asked.
Anakin swallowed nervously, "I couldn't find any bond at first or even a connection to another soul. It was only after I broke down his shields that I saw the old life-bond. Then I sent Force power into the bond and it was like it reached out for me. Even unconscious, he resisted at first, but soon the bond was so bright that he couldn't stop it from re-forming."
"Humm," Yoda scratched his chin and nodded. "So the bond reached for you?"
"Yes Master, after I sent Force-healing into it. It looked dead or shredded to me. It wasn't what I imagined a life-bond to look like."
"Want this bond do you?" Yoda asked tapping his walking stick on the desk in front of him.
"Yes Master, more than anything. I love Obi-Wan and I feel the Force pulling us together."
"Do whatever it takes to make him love you, you will. Cruel he will be; strong you must be. Accept the bond he must, or die he will."
Anakin gasped as shiny tears slid down his face freely. "No," he said roughly. "I will do whatever it takes, I promise."
Vic and Corla looked at each other, concern evident in their faces. This was a heavy responsibility to place upon a sensitive and somewhat vulnerable new knight. When Corla's attention returned to the two figures displayed on the holo-unit, it looked as if the two masters were in silent communication with each other.
Mace nodded and then turned his attention back to Anakin. "You and Obi-Wan will be sent on a mission together. You will partner for approximately six cycles during which time you will settle the bond and enter into a life-mate relationship. That is all for now. We will contact you with the mission information day after tomorrow. "
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"I will not. This is ridiculous. This so called *Jedi knight* accidentally uses the Force to initiate a life-bond and all of the sudden, everyone believes it's Force-selected. Please, it was an accident; a mistake at best. I won't have my future tied to a stranger because you two think I need love in my life."
Mace tried explaining as patiently as possible in the face of an increasingly agitated Obi-Wan. "You are underestimating the strength of the bond; this is not the same as when Qui-Gon died. That bond was already severed or you would have died when Qui-Gon did; it would have dissolved eventually anyway. The suppression only worked for that reason."
"I'll remind you, Master Yoda," Obi-Wan said, pointedly ignoring Mace, "that it was at your insistence that I suppressed the bond. You said you needed me to defeat the Sith and even though it almost killed me to suppress it, I did as you asked. Now I am requesting the same consideration and loyalty that I gave you. Help me. Don't force me to submit to this bond."
"Loyal you have always been. Loyal you must continue to be. The Force wants this; you serve the Force in all things." At this Obi-Wan jumped up and began pacing. Obviously sensing the blackness flooding the usual blue and white aura of the young knight even light-years away, Yoda demanded crossly, "Look to the Force, Knight Kenobi."
Obi-Wan blushed at having to be censured like an initiate and quickly brought his emotions back under control and sat down.
Yoda nodded his approval and then continued. "You are still needed."
"For what? The Sith are dead. I've done my duty. Don't ask this of me. I can't," Obi-Wan covered his face with his hands and then quickly rubbed his eyes. "The only thing that kept me going all these years was the thought of someday being free. I have done so many things … Can't you see I'll destroy him just like …? I can't do this."
Yoda and Mace glanced at one another. Mace tried to reason with his friend once more. "You must serve the Force. If in six cycles you still wish to severe the bond then we will help you, but you must discover what purpose the bond serves. Remember, the real purpose of the bond with Qui-Gon wasn't understood at first either."
"This bond is a fucking accident!" Obi-Wan yelled angrily. "You and I know the longer it goes, the harder it will be to suppress. Don't play bloody games with me. I know what you are doing, this is just more manipulation by the Force and the Jedi, for my own good. Right? Well, I won't allow it." Obi-Wan sat on the edge of the ottoman rocking back and forth, his hands raking nervously through his hair.
"Your duty you will do!" Yoda said with a hint of irritation in his voice. "Go to Palodino you will, assist with the quarantine. Explore the bond you will. Need you we still do."
"*You* need - the *Force* needs - what about what I need? I'll tell you. I need to be fucking left alone. I just want all of it to be over with once and for all." Obi-Wan stood and began pacing again.
"You are a Jedi, are you not?" Mace asked impatiently.
"Force, I'm nothing to either of you, am I? I'm just a tool for you to wield, or a convenient hole to sate yourself with!" He said with disgust as he glowered at Mace's image. "That's all I've ever been to you -- and to Qui." He then softened his expression as he continued, "Mace please. I thought you -- were different."
Mace shook his head and averted his eyes. "I can't." he said softly.
Obi-Wan stared at Mace loathingly. "Fine, if what I want or need doesn't matter, how about the kid? I won't allow this and what's that going to do to him? Are you willing to destroy him as well by allowing the bond to strengthen and then forcing him to suffer like I did when it is eventually broken? Or is he in the same boat as me - a sacrifice to the greater good?"
"No more!" Yoda said loudly, his ears trembling forcefully, revealing just how hard he was fighting to bring his own emotions under control.
Obi-Wan stopped pacing, his face turning bright red as he automatically went to his knees and lowered his head. "I beg your forgiveness, Master," Obi-wan said miserably, obviously embarrassed by the disrespect he'd allowed himself to show his beloved mentor.
"Jedi you are, Jedi you will always be." Yoda stated firmly. "You will go on this mission and for six standard cycles you will live with Knight Skywalker and explore the bond. Allowed suppression is not. When over the six cycles are, reassess the bond we will."
Mace nodded and stared coldly at Obi-Wan. "We will check on you periodically. May the Force be with you."
Obi-Wan rose to his feet, careful to keep his head bowed. "Yes Masters," he said quietly. With a bow to the screen he ended the transmission and then fell back on the ottoman in defeat. He wanted to cry, scream maybe, but couldn't find the strength. Nothing mattered anymore, all he wanted was to fall asleep and never wake up.