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Obi-Wan's stomach had a growing pit that threatened to swallow him whole after receiving the briefing that the Separatists had intercepted their incoming shipment of medical supplies, including his insulin.
He kept the appearance of being calm and collected during the Council briefing, resolving not to panic until privately in the refresher.
Nausea rose as he checked his sensor. He knew he had less than 48 hours before his Dexcom would need to be changed. The negotiator began to plot. They would planetside in less than four hours.
He'd have to arrange without notice drawing from the 7th Sky Corps funds and sneak away to the lower levels of Seronar, a mid rim planet, to the black market.
Vokara Che and Sternum would be angry to find out about his plot to purchase less reliable, even dangerous, medicine from the black market. But what choice did the General have? They were too far from the core worlds.It would take days maybe longer for another shipment to arrive.
He busied himself making the arrangements to draw the funds. It would be unlikely for the market to accept his credits, but perhaps the General could use a mind trick.
The most challenging part of his plan was escaping Cody's careful eye.The General anxiously waited for them to arrive planetside, having quietly slipped away, obscuring his identity. He knew with dread Cody would eventually notice the missing funds.
At least if he could return with other medical supplies besides the men needed them. At least he had the force to sustain himself.
It had taken every ounce of energy to conceal himself, to remain calm, and manipulate the seller who did not want to accept republic credits. Using the force in such a way made Obi-Wan feel unwell. It had worsened by the time he returned to the ship, vision blurring and head pounding. Dinner threatened to make a reappearance.
Cody found him with the crates of supplies and frowned, "Where did you go? "
"None of your concern, Commander, "Obi-Wan replied, growing paler and flushed against the harsh light of the ship's cargo.
"I don't appreciate you are lying to me, " Cody said.
"The men need supplies. We have far too many wounded and a case of the flu spreading through the ranks."
"Are you feeling okay?" Cody cocked an eyebrow.
Obi-Wan concealed the shudder; he hadn't felt well since this morning. It wasn't unlikely he was coming down with the flu.
"I shall retire to my quarters and have dinner. Goodnight, Cody." Obi-Wan said firmly, turning on his boot.
Cody frowned; Kenobi didn't like the secrets and apparent avoidance. It wasn't like his General to be secretive.
Kenobi barely makes it back to his room without collapsing. That would be dreadfully inconvenient. He checked his blood sugar, noting it was high. He prepared a bolus with a sigh, hoping to get his levels back to manageable.
Judging by the sudden fatigue, chills, and headache, the general guessed he was likely coming down with the flu, a dangerous combination with his lack of proper insulin.
Shivering Obi-Wan showered, dressed in GRA issued sweats and a t-shirt, finding the thick knitted socks Cody had made for him.
Obi-Wan tried to eat something, finding it difficult to stomach with nausea rearing its ugly head. It was clockwork trying to keep monitoring his blood sugar, finding slight improvement two and half hours after his last bolus.
The General spent most of the night in the bathroom as his body rejected any liquids or light meals.
By morning things had dangerously progressed. His fever spiked, and his vitals were a wreck. What set off the alarm bells for Cody had been the general failure to appear for breakfast and not answering his comms.
He thought about it; Kenobi hadn't looked good the night before. Maybe he should've said something.
Knocking on the door, Cody did not receive an answer. The panic heightened. He immediately commed for the medics and forced the door open.
It distressed Cody to find the room dark. He searched the room with his eyes for any signs of the general, locating him finally in the fresher, curled into a ball.
The fresher was in disarray. Obi-Wan had left uncharacteristically so. His medkit and supplies were left scattered around the fresher.
The General had attempted to care for his condition before it worsened. Cody read the Aurebesh leaders: KENOBI, Obi-Wan, diabetic, and his eyes widened.
"Obi-Wan? "Cody called, trying to rouse Obi-Wan, finding it difficult to get a coherent reply.
He did manage to see the General open his eyes and groan. His hand found the man's skin was burning up with fever.
The commander was concerned by the man's fruity breath, weakness, confusion, and fainting spells.
"Don't feel well, Cody" Obi-wan slurred his words, shivering.
Being the center of attention felt painful, making his skin feel hot. He never liked to be worried or fused over.
"Hey, keep your eyes open. Look at me," Cody pleaded, helping the general sit upright.
"Sorry, Cody, I should've commed you. Didn't want to be a bother," Obi-Wan whispered, leaning against the Commander.
"Sir?" Cody called, the concern leaking into his voice.
He lacked his usual calm, steady demeanor, unable to get the General. His friend was unresponsive.
Cody swallowed thickly, hearing the medics knock at the door. It was like watching his worst nightmare in slow motion.
Sternum and Kix pushed past him, immediately starting an IV line to address the dehydration.
The scan beeped, informing them of the flu and hypoglycemia. Sternum found the medical alert bracelet and swore. Kenobi was likely developing diabetic ketoacidosis.
Sternum already planned to order Blood electrolyte tests, Urinalysis and Chest X-ray.
They needed to control his blood sugar, electrolytes, and dehydration. Once they arrived in the medbay, they would begin a bag of IV insulin.
Sternum and the medical team worked quickly to transport Kenobi to the ICU. Cody followed behind them, trying to stay out of the way but wanting to keep the General in his line of sight until he could no longer.
Kix hung back a moment while Sternum and the others rushed to stabilize Kenobi. The medic had an uncharacteristically soft look on his face.
Usually, he didn't allow himself to show concern. It told Cody how serious the situation was.
"Will he be okay?" Cody swallowed the heavy lump in his throat.
"I don't know, vod. The next few hours will be critical."
Something finally broke in Cody as the panic seized his lungs, and he couldn't breathe.
A panicked attach, he realized belatedly. He wanted to be sick. He could have said something last night.
Kix helped Cody settle into a chair in the waiting room, reminding him to breathe. When the attack subsided, the medic pressed a cup of water into the commander's hand.
"Drink slowly.” The medic instructed.
Cody did as he was, he was told, too drained to argue. “It's my fault. I knew he wasn't well last night”
"Even if he had gone to the medbay, Cod'ika, his condition would likely be critical. We don't have enough supplies to treat the inflow of patients." Kix said softly.
"You will help him, won't you?" Cody asked, concerned.
"Of course, we'll do our best. Understand, he's our sickest patient, and it'll be likely 18 to 24 more hours until we land on the closest core plan," Kix explained gently.
"I shouldn't keep you any longer," Cody sniffed.
"Once we have him stable, I'll let you know so you can see him," Kix reassured, squeezing Cody's shoulder. The commander gave him a nod.
Cody paced the waiting room. It wasn't long before Ashoka and Anakin arrived, Rex in tow. Anakin asked if Cody knew what was going on and swallowed thickly.
“Obi-Wan's blood sugar dangerously spiked. Kix said he'dd come down with the flu, maybe pneumonia." Cody explained.
"Shit, I'mm sure the missing insulin shipmen didn't help." Anakin paled.
"Missing shipment?" Cody squeaked.
Before Anakin could ask his question, Cody bolted, rushing back to Kenobi's quarters and finding the orange medkit. His stomach sank, examining the odd bottle of insulin.
He didn't stop until he located the room, flagging down Kix and explaining the situation. Kix's eyes widened. If Kenobi used an unregulated and older patented medication, that situation would become more precarious.
Cody dragged himself back to the waiting room, not expecting Anakin to tear into him. The commander sat there, jaw clenched, taking the angry words.
He held it together, not noticing until he lifted his head through the tear-streaked vision to notice Kix and Rex escorting Anakin out of the medbay.
"You can return when your temper is in check, General Skywalker. But this is my medbay, and here I outrank you. You're lucky I don't stick your ass in the brig" Kix frowned.
Cody sniffled, accepting Rex's offering of a tissue. Sternum came with an update that they had admitted Kenobi. He, Ahsoka, and Rex were more than welcome to see the General provided everyone remained calm so as not to overburden Kenobi's exhausted shields
"I'm going to get decommissioned," Cody whispered.
Rex held his brother, not used to seeing him so shaken, "I don't think so, brother, your general cares about you. He wouldn't let that happen."
"What if he doesn't wake?" Cody asked.
"He will. He's tough, Kote." Rex gave a small reassuring smile. He knew from personal experience that Kenobi had been through worse situations and made it through.
Besides, their General was a stubborn bastard. The Captain liked his odds of coming out on top again.
Once Cody had gathered himself, they resumed the journey to Kenobi's ICU room. Sternum met them outside with a serious look on his face. They were instructed to wash up, gown and mask. Kix was sitting at Kenobi's bedside, taking the first vigil shift.
"Can he hear us?" Ahsoka asked softly.
"I would assume he can, either way. Talking to him, touching him, helps." Kix was reassuring, steady, and calm.
Ahsoka was quiet, her montrals' fluttering nervously as she reached out to take Kenobi's IV less hand. She quietly wiped away her tears.
"Hey, grandmaster." She said softly, not liking how pale and sickly his palor looked.
Rex squeezed Ahsoka's shoulder, offering support. She soon leaned against the captain. Cody couldn't help but brush the hair out of Obi-wan's face, needing to touch him.
Obi-Wan needed a high level of oxygen support to be comfortable. There were several IV lines, monitors, and tubing.
"I don't appreciate you passing out on me, sir. I thought I told you to keep your eyes on me." Cody teased, voice rough.
He thought it unnerving to see Obi-Wan so still and small. He rarely thought of his General as either. The man was constantly in motion, unafraid to throw himself in the heart of battle. General Kenobi was a force to be reckoned with, and it terrified Cody every time.
Kix didn't allow them to stay long, wanting to reduce exposure risk and let Obi-Wan rest, but Cody refused. He stayed in the waiting room until Kix and Sternum finally relented, making up a cot in Kenobi's ICU room for the man. At least they could keep an eye on the Commander too.
It was only a matter of hours before Obi-Wan finally groaned, hoping his tired watery eyes.
"Cody?" Obi-Wan winced, shielding his eyes from the light.
Cody immediately turned them down and offered a cup of water to the General.
"You scared me, you Di'kut," Cody said softly with affection.
"Hyperglacia?" Obi-Wan asked. He gathered as much about the flu and his blood pressure spike before he had collapsed.
"The flu and pneumonia caused your blood sugar to spike. You're lucky you didn't die." Cody's voice was thick with emotion.
"Thanks for finding me." Obi-Wan yawned.
“Of course.” Cody swallowed l.
Obi-Wan gave him a tired smile, "You're a good man, Cody."
"Someone has to look after you, sir." Cody discreetly wiped the tears away. If Obi-Wan noticed, he didn't say anything.
Cody offered to read for Obi-Wan, knowing the man would likely be stir crazy and refuse to sleep, but perhaps he could read until the General grew drowsy.
They would arrive at the Temple within the day. The Halls of healing could ensure Obi-Wan's pump could be changed and his supply restocked.
"You should rest, Obi-wan." Cody teased as he turned the page, watching the man yawning.
"I'm not sleepy." Obi-Wan sniffled miserably before blowing his nose noisily. He didn't want to mention to Cody that he was afraid to close his eyes and let his awareness drift.
He could barely keep his eyes open yet continued to fight sleep.
"Hmm, you keep telling yourself that." Cody continued reading, knowing there was no sense in arguing with Kenobi.
You'll drive yourself crazy with the never-ending circular debate and banter. There was a reason they called Kenobi the Negotiator, after all.
"Cody?" Obi-Wan eventually called softly; uncertainty bled into his voice.
The young master felt as if he had to be sure not to frighten or worry Anakin. He didn't like asking for help or admitting to being frightened. If he were honest, he never had, though it had gotten worse after Qui-Gon died.
"Yes, sir?" The commander asked, carefully marking the page and setting it aside.
"Do you mind staying while I fall asleep?" The General asked quietly.
At the moment, Cody didn't skip a beat, treating his friend as he would one of his brothers.
"I don't mind. Would you like it if I laid beside you? Sometimes my brothers and I do that." Cody explained.
"That would be nice," Obi-Wan replied.
Cody made a sound of affirmation and gently removed his armor, setting it aside until he was stripped to his blacks. He was careful not to jostle or startle Obi-Wan, climbing beside him in the hospital bed. Obi-Wan's skin felt hot with a fever, yet he shivered, content to cling to Cody as if an octopus.
It reminded Cody of tubies who were touch starved, skin hungry, they had called it. Even young, the vod liked to sleep in piles, the assurance of being loved and cared for. When was the last time General Kenobi had asked to be cared for?
"You don't have to pretend with me," Cody said softly, as if he could read Obi-Wan's mind.
"I'm afraid I am dreadful company this evening." Obi-Wan laughed nervously.
"You know we think of you as one of ours? All you'd have to do is ask. Any one of the vod would be happy to watch over you while you slept." Cody reminded him.
"It's stupid.” Obi-Wan sighed. He might've died if Cody hadn't found him.
“I'm probably the safest here in the ICU than in my quarters, and yet I fear when I close my eyes, I won't open them again."
Obi-Wan explained it had been scary to feel so unwell and unable to call for help.
"You're allowed to be scared, silly. You went through something traumatic." Cody reminded.
"I suppose you're right." Obi-Wan yawned, quickly running out of steam and the ability to fight sleep longer.
He batted his eyelashes, setting his head against Cody's shoulder, the body slowly drifting into the lull of sleep.
"I've got your six, sir, always." Cody reminded the General as he whispered to him, though he could tell that he was asleep by the man's body posture.
Obi-Wan remained in stable but critical condition, he needed more oxygen support as pneumonia developed, and his spirits seemed okay. He rested easier when Cody, Anakin, or Ahsoka came by.
They began taking turns through the day to make sure he had someone to eat with.
He was awake, talking, and alert. The General seemed to welcome company when he wasn't sleeping.
Obi-Wan had never been a very good patient, likely to run away the first chance he got. The games of go-fish, reading, and the conversation kept him in bed more likely.
In the meantime, the medics fought around the clock to restore Obi-Wan's body chemistry to normal.
Sternum noticed, however, that General Kenobi seemed to rest the best when Cody was there. He found them curled up on Obi-Wan's hospital bed and sound asleep.
Cody had kept watch until Obi-Wan settled into a restful sleep, but it wasn't long before the Commander joined him.
"We'll watch over you, General. I wish you'd let us do that more often.", the medic sighed, covering the men up with another blanket before sitting in the armchair next to Kenobi's bed and falling asleep.
The room was filled with the gentle snores of Obi-Wan and his protectors, who would make sure no harm would befall the man. Sleep, it turns out, is an essential part of healing.
Fin.