Title: There is only the Force

Author: SiriKenboi12

Summary: Obi-Wan Kenobi is finally able to become one with the Force and reunited with those he lost during his life. Unfortunately his duty is not yet complete and he is faced with a difficult choice.

Disclaimer: I once again want to explain that I do not own anything Star Wars or Star Wars related. They all belong to the amazingly talented George Lucas.

A/N: This is a strange little story that came to mind after a late night conversation with one of my roommates when he asked the question "what would the dead Jedi's reaction be towards Anakin when he became one with the Force?" Merry Christmas everyone!

The moment had come, the moment he had been training for the past seventeen years under the harsh twin suns of Tatooine for. He was ready, or at least he thought he was ready. If someone had asked him even a week before Luke had entered the Jundland wastes that fateful day he would've told them he was more than ready for the sweet release of death, but now he had found another purpose in his life and he was afraid to leave too soon.

Luke needed him, but he also knew that the young man needed this in order to motivate him to learn the ways of the Jedi. Obi-Wan Kenobi was torn about what to do and it wasn't the first time in his life, but he quickly realized it would be the last.

He stared into the cold black mask of his opponent and envisioned the person trapped inside. His mind raced back to their last encounter, back to a memory he had pushed deep into the crevice of his mind.

'You underestimate my power!'

How right Vader had been, he had assumed his former apprentice would've met his demise on the side of that volcano instead the headstrong young man survived. Obi-Wan at this moment realized that Vader survived for this moment…his moment of revenge.

Obi-Wan could sense Luke watching him, his Force signature almost as bright as his father's. Blue energy blade locked with crimson red and the aging Jedi briefly turned his gaze from father to son. He then knew his path, he had to sacrifice his life to save Luke and Leia, he had made the promise to watch over them and he vowed to keep that promise no matter the cost.

He lifted his saber, closed his eyes and prepared for the warm embrace of the Force. Vader took no chance, his blade sliced through flesh and bones but instead of a body being cut in two the Jedi master disappeared.

It wasn't what he expected, it didn't burn like he had thought it would, he felt no pain. He heard Luke cry out, and Leia telling him it was too late. He could see the Storm Troopers rushing to capture the intruders, and Vader stepping on his discarded cloak. He suddenly noticed Luke's anger and sadness and Obi-Wan grew concerned that he hadn't made the right decision.

"Run Luke, Run!"

He called out to his last charge and then drifted into darkness.

After what seemed like hours of wandering through thick, suffocating fog Obi-Wan found himself in what looked like a beautiful forest. Everything was so vibrant and alive, the temperature was perfect and the Force was singing. He explored the forest until he came to the mouth of a valley that was surrounded by six massive waterfalls. He then noticed his reflection in the water and marveled that he was no longer the white haired fifty five year old, the years had lifted away in one instant.

He climbed down into the Valley and walked through the mist of the waterfalls, as he continued to walk he heard a familiar sound that he hadn't heard since the end of the Clone Wars. He turned and watched a large beast bumble up to him with a strange gracefulness. The call of the creature was like music to his ears, like a long lost friend whom he thought he'd never see again.

"Boga,"

The lizard mount ran up to him and cried out in a happy screech. Obi-Wan laughed and threw his arms around her neck in a warm embrace; Boga nuzzled his arm with her beak and licked his hand.

"I never got a chance to thank you my friend," Obi-Wan felt tears coming to his eyes; he didn't realize how much the animal had meant to him. "You saved my life that day."

"Boga I think was more excited than anyone to sense your presence." A familiar voice broke through the mist. "She couldn't wait to meet you."

Obi-Wan turned slowly around to face the source of the voice, his knees feeling weak. "Qui-Gon," he walked towards his former master. "It's really you."

He looked exactly as Obi-Wan had remembered him, his smile extended from ear to ear. "Welcome home my Padawan." Obi-Wan bowed to his old master, but Qui-Gon was having none of it and grabbed his former apprentice into a tight hug. "It's good to see you Obi-Wan."

"I was going to say the same thing, I know we've spoken but to actually see you…" he became overwhelmed. "I don't know what to say."

Qui-Gon smiled. "Come, the others are waiting."

Boga and Qui-Gon led Obi-Wan through the valley towards a building that looked very similar to the Jedi temple. As Obi-Wan drew closer he made out the familiar faces of Mace Windu, Ki-Adi-Mundi, and Kit Fisto, he bowed to them but was met with Mace holding up his hand.

"Master Kenobi, we will not allow you to bow to us." Mace exclaimed, authority dripping from his voice.

Obi-Wan dropped to his knees. "Masters, I am so sorry…I failed all of you in training Anakin, I…"

"Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon was stern. "Get up."

He obeyed reluctantly and rose to his feet, as he did he looked at the bottom of the hill he was standing on and the sight before him took his breath away. Thousands upon thousands of Jedi stared up at him, many he recognized and many he didn't.

Obi-Wan didn't know what to think, he felt nervous under so many watchful eyes of revered Jedi masters. He then noticed a group of younglings at the front of the group and he felt a wave of guilt rush through him.

"I can't express how sorry I am to all of you…" he choked on his words.

With out another word every single Jedi in his presence all dropped to one knee and bowed to him including Mace, Ki-Adi-Mundi, Kit Fisto, and finally Qui-Gon. Tears sprang to Obi-Wan's eyes and even though he no longer had a heart beat he swore it seemed to beat loudly in his chest.

"Please…don't…" he called out to them. "I don't deserve this."

"You never gave yourself enough credit while you were alive Obi-Wan; don't make the same mistake now." Mace commented. "You were also a Chosen one, you survived in order to ensure the future of the Jedi."

"But because of my in ability to train Anakin resulted in so many of your deaths!" Obi-Wan persisted.

"Now that you got that out of your system you can rejoice in the embrace of the Force, and those who have waited for you for so long." Qui-Gon rose to his feet and motioned to the crowd below them. "I am so sorry for placing this burden on your shoulders my son, but now you can finally let go of it…the Force is forgiveness." He placed a gentle hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder.

Teary-eyed he turned and headed down the steps of the temple towards the group of Jedi, clasping hands with so many he had grown up with when a familiar face drew his attention.

"Bant," he grabbed her and hugged her tightly.

"Oh Obi, it's so good to see you." She hugged him back.

"Oh Bant, you are a sight for sore eyes." He held her close then noticed several more people behind her. "Garen, Reeft, Luminari!" He rushed to them and hugged each one individually.

As he released Garen from a hug his old friend smiled slyly at him and made a hissing noise similar to a snake. Obi-Wan cocked an eyebrow because that was their secret signal when they were teenagers to indicate that an attractive female was in their proximity. Obi-Wan turned around and noticed a slender blonde woman slowly making her way towards him.

"Go get her," Garen coaxed. "It's not forbidden here."

Obi-Wan clapped his friend on the shoulder and hurried towards the woman; the crowd of Jedi made a path for the two of them and when they came within a few feet of each other they stopped and stared at one another. Siri lowered her head and began to bow to him, but Obi-Wan quickly grabbed her.

"No not from you, I will not accept it." He softly spoke and gently touched her silky hair.

"They told me that I had to." She smiled.

Obi-Wan shook his head. "That's not what I want from you."

She cocked her head to the side. "What do you want from me?"

He lifted her chin and leaned in to kiss her, she returned the embrace and he lifted her off the ground. They spun around as they kissed for a moment, surrounded by the sound of applause. Obi-Wan returned her feet to the ground. She held his face and ran her fingers through his beard.

"I missed you so much," he kissed her again.

"I know, I missed you too Obi-Wan." She returned the kiss. "Come with me, I want to show you something."

Qui-Gon and Mace watched the reunited lovers leave the crowd, a strange tension hung between them. "Do you think he will follow through with it?" Mace asked.

Qui-Gon sighed. "If Obi-Wan is anything it's dedicated, he will not let us down."

"You know what that would mean for him don't you?" Mace asked, folding his arms across his chest.

"I do,"

"He may not be able to return, we don't know for sure." Mace continued.

"I know,"

"Who is going to tell him?" The dark skinned Jedi never took his eyes off Kenobi as he spoke.

"I will,"

Tahl came up behind Qui-Gon and put an arm around his waist. "It doesn't have to be this second…let him have this one moment," she pointed towards him and Siri. "He's earned this much."

Qui-Gon and Mace both nodded. "Yes he has."

TBC!