"Anakin, that's the second time you've fainted this week." Obi-Wan remarked from his bedside. After collapsing in their kitchen while trying to get a drink of water, Anakin was quickly rushed to the healers where they proceeded to run various tests. Leaving Obi-Wan with a grumpy and exhausted 20-year-old.
"I know, you don't have to remind me." Anakin muttered; one arm flung over his eyes as he laid on the bed. Usually, Obi-Wan would have gotten some kind of witty remark about how he worries too much, but instead, the lack of response was what actually made him realize how awful Anakin must be feeling.
"And while that's concerning enough as is, it is only the third day of the week right now. You haven't gone more than 24 standard hours without losing consciousness."
"I'm aware." Anakin replied through gritted teeth. Obi-Wan's expression softened.
"Anakin are you alright?" he asked, knowing that in a way, it was a silly question. Clearly, Anakin was not alright, otherwise they wouldn't be here right now. Anakin sighed.
"I dunno." He said softly. "I feel… weird."
"Weird?" Obi-Wan asked, worried about what Anakin's definition of 'weird' meant.
"Yeah… weird." He said. "I can't really describe it."
"Anything else? Are you in any pain?" Obi-Wan questioned.
"Well, my head hurts a lot but…" Anakin trailed off and stopped speaking. His arm slid away from his face, but he continued to stare at the same spot, his eyes blinking rapidly.
"Anakin?" Obi-Wan called, shaking his leg. There was no response, and his limbs were limp. He heard beeping from one of the monitors that Anakin was currently attached to and saw that his heart rate had spiked. He heard a door open from behind him and turned around to watch a healer quickly rush in and ask what happened.
"I don't know, he just stopped responding to me." Obi-Wan said, not taking his eyes off of Anakin.
"He's having a seizure." She explained. "It's not a severe one, from what I can tell, but we won't be able to know for sure until it's over."
"Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked tentatively, after a moment.
"Yeah?" He replied, his voice slurred. The healer leaned over and looked at Anakin with an intense expression.
"Hi, my name is Lyna, and I'm Master Che's padawan. I'm just going to ask you a few questions…"
"What's your full name?"
"Anakin Skywalker."
"How old are you?"
"21."
"Do you know where you are?"
"In the halls of healing at the jedi temple."
"Which planet?" Obi-Wan watched Anakin roll his eyes.
"Coruscant. Am I done yet?"
"Not quite. Who is the chancellor of the republic?"
"Palpatine."
"What day is it?" Anakin paused for a moment before responding.
"Primeday?"
"That's correct." She leaned away from the bedside and looked back at Obi-Wan.
"We're still waiting for the test results to come back but considering what he went through when he was captured, my guess is that we're looking at some of the prolonged effects of electrocution and torture." She explained. "My master will be here shortly to explain more." She bowed her head slightly before leaving the two of them alone.
"Anakin, if you really have been feeling that poorly, you could have just said something."
"Didn't want you to worry." He mumbled, covering his eyes with his left arm. "Where's Ahsoka?"
"She should be arriving shortly. Her last class just ended." Obi-Wan said while looking down at his wrist to check the time. He looked back up to see Master Che walk in, a stern look on her face.
"Kenobi, Skywalker." She greeted. "I take it that your last mission did not go as planned?"
"Does it ever?" Anakin grumbled from the bed.
"Well, at least your sense of humor is still intact." Master Che said. "But I do want to discuss something serious with you two." The door opened and Ahsoka ran in, breathless and holding a data pad in one hand.
"Master!" She exclaimed. Anakin winced at the loud noise, and Master Che looked at her before continuing.
"Or you three." She muttered. "From what we can tell, it looks like you're dealing with the side effects of being tortured by Dooku. Electrocution can cause many problems, including severe mood swings, trouble breathing, seizures, muscle cramps, headaches and migraines…" She trailed off.
"From the results we got back, it looks like your heart has been beating abnormally since returning from Naboo, which would explain the fainting spells. We can give you something to wear on your chest to help your heartbeat regulate itself, and hopefully it won't be permanent."
"Hopefully?" Ahsoka questioned.
Master Che nodded. "Yes, hopefully. Ideally, over time, Skywalker's body will be able to adjust and go back to functioning how it was before. Typically, that is what we see in most patients, although some of the side effects can still linger for a while."
"Such as?" Obi-Wan questioned.
"The mood swings and headaches seem to last longer than the other effects."
"Great." Anakin muttered. "And there's nothing you can do about it?"
"We can give you painkillers and help with your heart. Make sure that you're staying hydrated and taking in enough electrolytes. But other than that, you will have to be patient."
Obi-Wan chuckled. "Patience is not Anakin's strong suit."
"No, but if he tries anything rash, he'll probably just end up fainting again."
"I was just getting some water." Anakin snapped. "I reached to grab a cup and then suddenly I ended up here." Master Che frowned. And then looked up at the monitors that Anakin was connected to.
"Your heartrate is still high." She muttered. The door opened and Lyna walked back in.
"Padawan, prepare the electrodes. I would like to examine Skywalker's heart closely."
"Yes, Master." She said before leaving again.
"It will be a few hours before I will be finished." Master Che said while turning to face Obi-Wan and Ahsoka. "I will let you know when he is awake."
"Thank you, master." Obi-Wan said sincerely. She nodded and left them alone again.
"Well, Skyguy, at least they're putting you to sleep instead of having you pass out in the kitchen again." Ahsoka remarked.
"Thanks, Snips." Anakin muttered.
Several hours later, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka were back in the same room. Ahsoka wasn't really sure what Master Che did to Anakin, but she could see several glowing dots on his chest that weren't covered by his robes. He also looked more alert than he had when she was here earlier and was sitting up this time when she walked in, instead of laying on his back. The door opened and all three of them looked over.
"Well, my master says that you are free to go. But she has taken you off active duty for the next two weeks and insists that you use the time to rest." Lyna said while looking at Anakin, who frowned.
"We'll make sure he gets enough rest! Thanks, Lyna." Ahsoka said with a grin. Lyna smiled softly and walked out, leaving the three of them alone again. Anakin swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, only to sway to one side. Obi-Wan quickly reached out and grabbed his arm, while Anakin grabbed onto the bed with the other.
"Anakin, are you alright?" Obi-Wan asked. "If you still aren't feeling well, you should let Master Che know-"
"It's fine. It was just a dizzy spell. Let's go." Anakin muttered, standing up straight and clenching his fists to stop his hands from shaking.