Inheritance

Lying in Wait

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

"How is he?" Anakin asks as he limps to where Master Windu stands by Obi-Wan's bed. When they arrived on the cruiser the medic trooper, Kix, saw to it that both Kenobi and Skywalker were escorted to the medical bay. From there, Obi-Wan and Anakin were separated. Anakin had waited, rather impatiently, as a medical droid placed a portable bacta tank around his injured thigh. The tank-cast was heavy and cumbersome, but Anakin did not care. His only concern was for Obi-Wan. As soon as the droid was done, he clumsily shimmied off his medical bed and hobbled through the bay looking for his former master.

"I've run every test we have, Generals," Kix says lowering his datapad. "Except for his arm, which we've treated, and some bruises, I can't find a single thing wrong with him, but there is this," he says. He reaches over to the sheet and blanket that currently cover Obi-Wan's sleeping form. He pulls them back revealing his patient's bare torso. Master Windu crosses his arms over his chest, a deep furrow creasing his brow.

"It wasn't as bad yesterday. It must have spread," Anakin offers with a shake of his head. Kix nods.

"And it's still spreading, sir. Nothing I do seems to stop it."

"There must be something we can do," Anakin cries, his voice wavering with fear and frustration. Mace shoots the knight a stern glare; an unspoken command to reign in his feelings. Anakin stiffens angrily, but says nothing. Mace turns to the medic.

"If we cannot stop it perhaps there is a way to at least slow it down," Mace asks, but in truth it is more of a statement, a statement he fully intends to make fact as his thoughts drift to the precarious state of his friend. Kix glances down at his datapad and then to some of the monitors by Obi-Wan's bed. He shakes his head.

"I just don't know, sir. I recommend," Kix starts, but he stops when Obi-Wan's eyelids begin to flutter slightly. Anakin immediately hops closer to him and leans in. Obi-Wan's eyes open and, to Anakin's great relief, he finds himself staring into the familiar blue-grey eyes of his mentor. After a bit of disoriented blinking, Obi-Wan is able to focus on the room and those around him.

"Anakin?"

"Yes, Master. I'm here," Anakin answers quickly, then he adds as an afterthought, "so is Master Windu."

"Hmmm," Obi-Wan groans. "Let me guess, Healer's Ward," he responds with a slight smile tugging at his lips. Despite the attempt, his humor does little to tamp down the tension in the room.

"How do you feel, Obi-Wan?" Windu asks. Obi-Wan shifts his gaze to his friend. Suddenly, his eyes widened in fear.

"Wait... If I'm here then...," his words falter as the realization hits him. "It wasn't a dream..." his voice trails off. He looks at his former pupil. "Anakin, I am so sorry..."

"Don't worry about it, Master. We just need you to get well."

"No," Obi-Wan implores. He turns directly to Mace. "You have to restrain me. I have no control when it happens. I don't know what I might do. You cannot risk me running loose on the ship."

"I'll see to it," Windu responds, his face an unreadable mask. With the Council member's promise Obi-Wan relaxes a little. "We're taking you back to the Temple. Perhaps then we can find some answers," Mace adds. Obi-Wan opens his mouth to speak, but his expression twists into an unnatural grin. The light in his eyes dims and flickers.