Inheritance

Damaged Goods

Some limited spoilers from Jedi Apprentice.
No betas, therefore the mistakes are all mine.
See chapter one for disclaimers.

"Feeling better, Master?"

"A bit actually," Obi-Wan replies as he takes a seat on the ground across from Anakin. Anakin stares at Obi-Wan in silence for several moments. His brow wrinkles. To Obi-Wan it seems that Anakin is debating something with himself, which strikes Obi-Wan as odd. It isn't like his former padawan to hold his tongue without prompting; usually prompting from Obi-Wan himself.

"Master," Anakin begins noticeably hesitant.

"Yes, Anakin?" Obi-Wan answers mildly curious as to what could make someone as bold as Anakin suddenly become reticent. Anakin stares at Obi-Wan for a moment more than he looks back down to his work on the transponder as he picks up a hydrospanner.

"Nevermind. It's... nothing," he says finally. Obi-Wan briefly considers pressing the matter, but decides against it choosing to save his already beleaguered mind from what he is certain will devolve into an argument.

"Very well," he says with a bit of a sigh. Anakin spares a quick glance and sees Obi-Wan rest the back of his left hand on his left knee as he sits, his legs crossed, his eyes closed. Anakin returns to his repairs as Obi-Wan settles and prepares to enter deep meditation.

* * * * *

Anakin has seen many things in his life. He has seen excessive cruelty and unbidden kindness. He has seen wondrous things and things that live on the furthest edges of horror. He has seen things both ordinary and extraordinary; things that defied reason and things that surpassed his wildest imaginings... but the one thing he has never seen is Obi-Wan Kenobi not able to meditate.

Never.

Not once.

Ever.

Until now.

Anakin doesn't say anything. He waits for his former master to open his eyes, finally giving up on the attempt after nearly an hour. Obi-Wan sighs deeply, his gaze cast down on the cave floor. Anakin puts down his work.

"Master, we need to... talk."

"No, Anakin. We do not."

"Obi-Wan,"

"Oh just shut it, Anakin!" Obi-Wan barks. "If you had spent half as much time fixing that transponder as you do worrying about me we would be already off this wretched rock!"

"What's wrong with you?" Anakin yells back in exasperation. "This isn't like you, Obi-Wan. Something is going on. Why won't you tell me what it is?"

"There is nothing to tell."

"That's a load of bantha poodoo and you know it."

"Language, Padawan!"

"Padawan?" Anakin repeats, his tone a mix of shock, concern, confusion, incredulity.

"There is no... no center... Where is it?" Obi-Wan mutters so low Anakin can barely make it out. He reaches out his hand to his former master. Obi-Wan looks at the gloved hand hanging in the air between them. He knows it is an offering, a life-line flung into the murky waters of Obi-Wan's floundering self-control. All he has to do is take it, grasp it and he will find safe harbor. Anakin will anchor him. He needs only to take his hand.