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Everything went to hell the moment you stepped into that abandoned hanger.
You walked away with your life but not without a cost.
The enemy delivered an ultimatum today: Surrender yourself, or Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi will die.
This wasn't the first time someone had threatened your life. Years ago, agressors targeted you for your work as the youngest Ambassador of your planet in brokering a treaty with the Galactic Republic. During this time, you were sent to Courasant to live in asylum at the Jedi Temple.
You befriended the newly knighted Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and his young Padawan, Anakin Skywalker. At first, Master Kenobi was assigned to you for protection in the city, but as the months progressed, you grew into a friendship with the young warrior. He became your shadow and confidant over time, never a step behind you while you dwelled among them, far away from your home and everything you knew.
You didn't realize you were in love with him until the day came to depart Coruscant once the peace was settled on your planet. But, he was a Jedi, forbidden from attachment. And so, you left him without a word on your feelings but rather a gratitude for his kindness and friendship.
Obi-Wan returned to your life ten years later. The young Jedi you befriended had transformed into a General of the Galactic Republic. He was as hardened by the war as you were. Gone was the playful smirk, trimmed hair, and melodious laugh that regularly filled those temple hallways. His hair had grown, brushed over his forehead. He was a man now, the strength of his body built by battles. Yet, the color of his eyes remained the same, the most crystal and beautiful color you had ever seen. You changed as well; once a girl who smiled freely in her youth to a hardened woman bred by the chaos leading a planet in this Galactic Civil war.
When he arrived on your bloodied planet with Master Skywalker, you felt steadiness seep into your heart for the first time since the war began. You think he might have felt that as well.
The Jedi Council assigned them to your aid when Separatists attacked the capital of your planet. Your planet was a large exporter of weapons and ammunition. They stole future weapon designs, intending to use them for the ultimate destruction of the Republic. Your life's work was gone instantly, and you refused to leave your planet until you found the plans. Unable to dissuade your course, Obi-Wan and Anakin agreed to assist your efforts to find the documents.
On your hunt, Obi-Wan attempted to keep his distance, but the friendship you built all those years ago could not be destroyed even if he willed it. The cold exterior of the General thawed the longer you spent in their company. The man you would always love had returned to your life, and you didn't know if you could let him go a second time.
Obi-Wan Kenobi would pay the price of your hubris.
You were to deliver yourself, or he would die.
"Not going to happen," Anakin Skywalker bit in response to the Separatist's comm message.
You were alive because of the young Jedi. Anakin saved your life in the fight as Obi-Wan was captured. His master taught him well, training him to be perhaps the best Jedi of his generation. Skywalker was his master's match in every way. He grew up as much as Anakin did over this war. He took you back to Coruscant to await word from the Jedi Council for aid on a rescue. As you waited for their answer, you received the ominous Separatist message to your comm. They communicated their demands but never showed Obi-Wan. Instead, they let you hear his screams as they tortured him somewhere else.
"He'll die," you said, gathering a travel clock across your back.
"He won't," he retorted.
"You don't know that," you said, containing a snarl.
He threw his hands up exasperatedly. "I'm getting him out of there."
"And if you fail, Master Skywalker?" You demanded.
The young master crossed his arms. "I won't fail, Ambassador."
"Correct," you snapped, "because I'm going with you-"
"If you go and are captured," he warned, a finger pointing at you in warning, "We lose your planet in this fight-"
Your planet? You couldn't think anything past Obi-Wan's screams rattling in your brain. Anakin's warnings began to slip under your head as the blood rushed faster in your ears.
Anakin pressed on. "The Separatists' will control-
You breathed. "They won't-"
"They will kill you," he murmured. "Obi-Wan would-"
"Anakin!"
Your heart pounded in your chest. The idea of Obi-Wan hurt now sliced deeper than the thought of being captured. How could you tell him what his master meant to you? A man who didn't return the love you felt deep within your bones?
"I can't lose him," you shuttered, pleading to him. "I can't."
You closed your eyes, willing the pain to subside in your heart. "Please, Anakin… Help me."
Anakin warily observed you as you attempted to pull yourself together, perhaps seeing you for the first time in his life.
"Okay," he whispered. His eyes were soft. "But, we do this my way."
The plan was simple. Leave Coruscant discretely as the Jedi Council deliberated a plan, comm the Separatist forces, agreed to their terms and asked for a neutral meeting ground. Anakin would trail you the entire time, waiting for the right opportunity to strike from the shadows.
The enemy agreed to exchange with you alone in the open canyon on the planet Bar Neth. Obi-Wan would be there for the exchange.
"Stay focused, Ambassador," Anakin warned, slipping his cloak's hood over his head. "The plan is going to work."
You almost believed him as you followed him down the ramp to meet your enemy while he disappeared to take his position.
At the base of the canyon, you kept your knees from buckling at the sight of Obi-Wan. They beat him, his face and body littered with blood and bruises. They kept him chained and collared, the device around appearing to cut off air. The muscle on his body was gone in just those short days. Around him stood a T-series tactical droid flanked by battle droids.
"You are alone, Ambassador?" The leader clipped.
"Yes," you answered.
At the sound of your voice, Obi-Wan lifted his head, and his piercing eyes attempted to focus on you. Your heart broke as he struggled to see but gave him the briefest of smiles. I'm here, Obi-Wan, you tried to communicate.
Obi-Wan began to shake his head, murmuring your name. "No… Y-you can't... leave…"
Your will began to crumble, but Anakin's plan rang through your head. "Release him at once."
The droid considered you. "There is a 92.456% chance you will betray us should you remain at that distance."
Damn those droids.
"You will walk to us, and we will release the prisoner once you are our ship."
"No," you countered. "Unchain him, or I will not comply."
The droid calculated further as the silence stretched. Your eyes remained on Obi-Wan as his vision cleared more. All will be well, you thought as you stared at him in what might be the last moment in your life.
"Agreed," the droid said. "Walk forward. We shall release the prisoner once you are within 10 meters."
You walked forward to your ultimate fate on shaky feet, praying Anakin was here somewhere. They pushed Obi-Wan forward, his chains rattling as he winced in pain.
"Move, Jedi," the droid rattled. "Do not touch the Ambassador."
Obi-Wan limped towards you. Maker he was in so much pain, mentally and physically. You could see the exhaustion lining his eyes beyond the pain as you closed the distance together. The collar at his neck created a black rim around the skin like it was poisoning him.
A tear escaped, and you didn't brush it away.
Trust me, my love.
"Keeping moving," the commander bellowed.
You both walked past each other, the heat of your bodies barely touching one another. Your eyes remained fixed on him as you backed up slowly to your captures.
"Release him," you repeated at the ten-meter distance.
The commander hit a button, and the chains fell, but the collar remained.
You bristled. "The collar-"
"Will be removed once on board our ship," the droid responded. "He is unchained as agreed."
You loathed these droids.
Your anger was short-lived as the collar popped open, and Obi-Wan fell to his knees.
The droids began to panic, looking at the canyon's edge where a dark figure held a hand out.
Anakin Skywalker arrived to fulfill the next stage of this rescue.
You thew a lightsaber to Obi-wan from the concealed pocket of your cloak. He caught the weapon easily and breathed deeply for the first time since capture. The droids were distracted by Anakin as he jumped from rock edge to rock edge, descending the canyon. Anakin's movement allowed you the opportunity to finally reach Obi-Wan as he ignited the saber, shielding you from the droids opening fire.
Obi-Wan deflected each blaster bolt as he tucked you closer to his back. "Whose… idea… was this?"
"Ask him," you shouted over the weapon fire.
Anakin sliced the battle droids swarming below his feet as he landed on the ground. "Good to see you, too, Master."
The entire Outer Rim could hear the eye roll from Obi-Wan in front of you. Then, finally, all droids were dead. The plan was a success. Instead of celebrating as you wanted to at this moment, Obi-Wan stiffened.
"Obi-Wan?" Anakin asked, feeling just as off as his master did.
"I sense another," he said, tucking you further behind his back; the heat of his hand behind your back radiated down your body.
He was correct.
As a blaster bolt burned through your back, you couldn't contain your cry for pain. Obi-Wan caught you before you could hit the ground.
"Anakin!" Obi-Wan shouted, his head looking up to the canyon edge where metal flashed at the top.
"On it," he shouted, running off to whatever danger just entered this planet.
Maker, you were in pain as Obi-Wan shifted you up into his arms, standing. He pressed the fabric of your clock into the entry wound. You had to be screaming now.
"I know," he soothed, beginning to carry you in the ship's direction. "Keep breathing.”
You felt like you were flying by the way he moved. As you stared at the pinkish sky, you kept your gaze on Obi-Wan. The neck device was what truly kept him weak. He carried you with the barest struggle.
"O-Obi… Wan," you breathed. He glanced at you briefly, unable to keep his gaze as your swirled with dizziness. His face was tight, emotions boiling under the surface.
"You're going to be alright," he assured.
Your vision blurred. Anakin must have been there because he shouted Obi-Wan's name.
Obi-Wan's voice slipped in and out of your consciousness as he carried you up the ramp. "Contact… Council… Prepare… Blood loss… Liver…"
He laid you on a cool surface. You felt like it was a mortuary, your death approaching. You could feel the oblivion calling, and who were you to ignore its request? Obi-Wan was safe… Your love was safe. Perhaps it was your time-
Obi-Want shook you violently, calling your name. Your eyes flew open as you tried to focus on him while his hand hovered over your wound. You felt the skin around you tingle. His face pinched into the deepest concentration.
"Stay awake," he commanded, eyes piercing through your skull.
The shuttle took off. You could hear the rumbling of the engine.
You blinked rapidly as you felt your time coming to a close. The blood was all about gone from your system so you could see your skin's veins. This was it. This was when you would die with the man you love trying to save your life. This was no longer your life, though. You forfeited it the moment you fell in love with him. For him, though, you would hold on a moment longer if only to keep his eyes from disappearing forever.
"So stubborn," you murmured sleepily.
He eyed you with that look you loved so dearly. "Save your strength."
You smiled, tasting blood. "I missed you, too."
He must have seen the blood in your teeth because he focused his hands harder over your gut.
Death was knocking, but you would hold on just a moment longer to stay with him. He was beautiful, even covered in sweat, bruises, and dirt. He was beautiful when he first said hello to you all those years ago. He was beautiful when he joked with Anakin or worked through a battle plan. You loved him fiercely even as you neared the end.
"Obi-Wan," you whispered. For the first time in your life, you let your love slip through your words as you said it.
He concentrated harder, both hands beginning to shake. Finally, Obi-Wan glanced at you and looked afraid for the first time in his life.
"Be still, darling," he said, words barely steady.
Your eyes fluttered. "You're are the best person… I've ever known."
Memories floated across your head. The first time you met… Sneaking into the archives to look at holocrons after hours... A sunny day at the planetarium... the sun's light glowing wonderfully around him... During your last weeks together, catching him looking at you when you weren't looking.
He ignored you as you saw these memories dance before you eyes. Little beads of sweat formed on his brow. Still so beautiful even as he began to see you were dying in front of him.
"You've… changed my life,” you whispered.
"Hush," he hissed. A range of emotions coursed through his face. He was trying to fight this as if there was an enemy he could slay with his lightsaber…. Just so he could keep you tethered to this world.
Maker, if only you could take away his pain. Your voice cracked. "I-I don't regret-"
"Stop," he begged. A hand now caressed your cheek. It was callused but warm and the best feeling in the entire galaxy. You leaned into his touch, tears escaping your eyes and rolling down his hand.
With the last bout of strength, you opened your eyes fully and looked at him.
"I love you, Obi-Wan Kenobi… in this life… and the next."
His face contorted in the deepest agony you had ever seen. He had never relayed such pain even in the hands of the enemy today. He suffered and weathered through everything in his life. Yet, your words had seared through that calm and steady mental wall he built, which you loved and hated.
You felt his forehead connect with yours as your eyes slipped closed.
"Darling," he pleaded. "Stay with me."
Warmth coursed through your veins as you felt his tears pool over your lids.
Stay, my love. His voice caressed your mind.
Perhaps, you'd stay a little longer if only to hear his voice. The voice of a man you loved who loved you in return, beckoning you to stay with him.