Chapter Fourteen - Confrontation

            Padme Amidala was woken from her dreams by the soft touch of a hand brushing her shoulder. Rubbing her eyes she turned to see Master An-Paj stood besides her, checking Anakin over.

            Shifting her weary body off the crumpled bed sheets she shuffled the chair out of the way.

            "I'm sorry, I must have drifted off." She managed a weak smile.

            The Master Healer turned to face her, a warm smile creasing his features.

            "No need for apologies miss, just checking young Anakin over."

            "How is he?"

The Jedi paused in his work.

            "Very ill, but stable. His condition has not deteriorated greatly over the last couple of days as I had suspected it would."

            Padme again tried to smile convincingly, but had to turn away as she felt tears welling under her eyelids.

            "Anakin is strong in the Force my-lady, and if I know his Master well enough, he will keep his promise and return."

            He paused, laying a hand on her trembling shoulder.

            "You must kept faith."

            Padme nodded her head, doubt and anxiety spreading through her mind.

            "I hope you're right."

            The dark figure crept slowly towards the sleeping Jedi. His eyes were still closed, and his breathing slow and even. For one who was supposed to be so sensitive to the Force he appeared to have not felt her presence at all. Carefully drawing out her weapon she reached his side. Clasping the handle with both hands she ignited it and brought it down towards Obi-Wan's chest in a swift stroke. No sooner had she moved the blade but a green one met with hers. Determined grey eyes studied her. The young woman smiled with a strange delight. She moved back still maintaining her hold against his lightsaber.

            "Master Obi-Wan! We meet at last! I've heard so much about you."

            The Jedi maintained his gaze on the woman.

            "And with what do I owe this pleasure?" he growled.

            The woman stepped into the moonlight at last. Her figure was indeed very imposing for a female. Her thin face was decorated in various strange black markings and she had no hair. A bigger smile lit up her gaunt features.

            "Tell me Obi-Wan, how is your padawan these days?" she joked, her tone light-hearted.

            Obi-Wan's tired eyes narrowed, his hands gripping his saber with growing intrepidation.

            "You disgust me", he spat.

            The woman's smile widened, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

            "How could you do such a thing?"

            An empty laugh left her lips.

            "Really Master Kenobi, are you so sure of everything? How can you be sure it was me?"

            The Jedi's lips tightened into a determined grimace.

            "I'm sure of one thing – you are going to help me get the antidote."

            "Is that so?" she taunted.

            The two enemies stood face to face with each other for several seconds, Obi-Wan unwilling to make the first move, the assailant still trying to figure out her opponent. The bitter wind from earlier picked up, brushing dead leaves around the two encircling them in a tight ring.

            The woman suddenly leapt forward lightsaber activated. Obi-Wan was prepared and blocked her attack with lightening speed. The two continued to duel, both swapping between being the attacker and defender. As the battle continued to rage the young woman became more and more impatient, her strokes getting increasingly aggressive but clumsy. Obi-Wan however held his cool, using the Force to predetermine his opponent's every move, intercepting every one of her swift strokes.

            "You could make things a lot easier for yourself if you just gave me the antidote", the Jedi Master suggested between parries.

            Shaking her head ferociously she continued her attack.

            "Never!"

            Her aggressive moves had tired her out much faster than Obi-Wan and at last he began to find holes in her defence. She fell over a rock and landed hard on her back. Obi-Wan immediately stood over her, holding his lightsaber to her neck.

            "Now if you would be so kind, I would appreciate it if you gave me the antidote so I can help my padawan" he said, breathing heavily.

            A smile crept up her thin lips. A swift move with her left hand revealed an unwelcome surprise. A second glow of scarlet greeted Obi-Wan's eyes.

            "Here's something they don't prepare you for in Jedi school", she snarled.

Author's Note: As usual all comments appreciated! Apologies for the extremely long wait! Am balancing two other fics at the moment.