The Life He Deserved to Live

AN: So I guess one could classify this little piece as "dark". I tried to lighten it up as much as I possibly could with flashbacks and the like but when all is said and done this is a death fic. Its basic premise is in an AU where Anakin didn't turn, Obi Wan gets to experience life in the Jedi Temple raising little Skywalkers and so on. At the moment of his death each character takes a moment to recognize all he did for them in life.

Disclaimer: oh, and by the way, I'm not George Lucas in disguise.

Obi-Wan Kenobi lay dying in the Temple Infirmary.

It was a shock to most of the galaxy, especially children (including Jedi younglings and padawans), that this seemingly invincible man could die. After all, hero of the Clone Wars, Master of the Chosen One and his son, brilliant negotiator, the master of Soresu, it had basically seemed like Master Kenobi could do and survive all.

But a run in with legendary Jedi Hunter Aurra Sing changed all that. The Team had been called out again, which now included their padawans Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade. A dart of poison meant for Anakin imbeded deep into the Jedi Master's forearm before the azure blade made its final kill.

No antidote could be found and Kenobi and his loved ones were told that they didn't have much time left. He could survive a day and at most two but it would be soon...soon.

There were three other occupants in the Master's sick room. Nineteen-year-old Leia Skywalker was perched crosslegged at the foot of the bed trying valiently not to cry. Senator Padme Amidala had pulled up a chair by the bedside and had one of Obi Wan's hands interlocked with her own. At the far corner of the room, removed from the scene, sat Master Mace Windu.

He was perhaps the one in the room who knew the Jedi Master the longest. And its times like this that he wished that the Jedi were still forbidden attachment. Maybe then it wouldn't hurt so much, seeing his young friend die. Mace was simply tired...so tired, but this could be the last time he'd ever be with his fellow Master so he'll stay awake, watching the dying sleep. It's decidedly odd to see Kenobi looking so weak, he was always remarkably strong, even when Mace had first met him...

He was completely surrounded. They were EVERYWHERE, making messes, causing chaos, screaming, crying. And they all had problems, problems that they expected HIM to solve! The newly minted Knight closed his eyes and took a deep breath,centering himself in the force. After all it was creche duty,how hard could it be? He opened his eyes to find that most of the children, aged about 2-3, were busy playing. He smiled, feeling a bit more calm. He wasn't really expected to do anything other than watch over them and fix whatever damage they caused.

"I LIKE these!" said a babyish Corusanti accent, and Mace looked down to find a very small two-year-old clinging to his left boot. Two cerulean eyes peered up at him. "Can I has dem...please?"

Mace found that very amusing. The little one was about the size of the boot...barely. But to spare the child's feelings he kept his mirth to a mere smile. "No, young one, they're too big for you. You'll have to be patient and wait until you're all grown up to get boots like these."

This concept seemed to fascinate the little boy, as he gazed up at the Knight in wonder. "All growed up. Will I ever be as big as YOU!" The boy seemed to think such a feat impossible.

"Hmmmm...only if you eat lots and lots of vegatables." he stated after a few moments contemplation. Yes, that seemed like a good idea, promote good habits and all that healthy stuff. The kid smiled. "I eats all my vegdables!" he declared, clearly proud of that. Mace smiled. "Well then I'm sure you'll grow up nice and tall just like me, maybe even TALLER." The blue eyes widened further and Mace found himself grinning again. "Would you like to see how it looks from up here? Maybe get yourself a little preview?" The little one nodded enthusiastically and held up two chubby arms.

Before he knew what was happening Knight Windu was parading around the creche giving each and every youngling a ride on his shoulders.

But that had been years ago, and Windu wasn't really new to feeling his years. But if he felt so old, why was Kenobi, whom he'd known since the Master's days in the creche, dying first? Mace sighed and scrubbed a hand over his weary face. He was being selfish. After all, Obi Wan would be embraced warmly by the Force, and maybe he'd be able to see Qui Gon agan. Force knows, Obi Wan missed him sorely, like none other. He smiled tiredly, he can still remember how that pair had met...

Despite countless disagreements, Mace Windu and Qui Gon Jinn wholeheartedly agreed on at least one thing: if a celebration was underway, the prescense of the other was absolutely necessary. And a celebration was certainly in order because today Master Mace Windu was made a member of the Jedi Council.

They had planned to start the celebration off with all their friends meeting for a restaurant dinner. Qui Gon was waiting for the guest of honor just outside the Room of A Thousand Fountains when a small sniffle diverted his attention. A few minutes of searching proved the source of the sound to be a toddler, about 3 or 4, trying desparately not to cry. Qui Gon knelt down in front of the little creature.

"Hello there! What's your name?" he asked gently.

"Obi..Waaan...Kenobi." the child said with the utmost concentration, as if this were something he'd been practicing over and over again. Two tearfilled gray eyes met their future Master's. "AND I'M LOST!" the youngling wailed, suddenly hurling his little self into the Jedi's surprised arms.

Qui Gon picked him up and tried to pat the shivering little bundle on the back. "There there," he murmered sympathetically. "It's alright. We'll get you back."

"Jinn, I hope you have lots of credits on you because I plan to...what have you got there?" Qui Gon never got to answer that question, Obi Wan did it for him.

"MASTER WINDOW! I'M SAVED!" came a joyful little shout and the next thing Mace knew, he had his arms full of three-year-old.

"Obi WAN" he groaned, trying to ignore his friend's laughter and the distinct heat rushing to his cheeks. "How many times do I have to tell you? It's WinDU, not window!" Exasperated, the new Master pinched Obi Wan's little mouth into the shape of an "u" and together they made the "DU" sound. This gained the customary giggles although now it was accompanied by the chuckles of Jinn.

"What are you doing out here so late, Obi Wan?"

The little boy took a deep breath before launching into his tale.

"Well, the Mastahs 'cided to take us to see the Room of Fousand Fountains, and so we all goed with them." Here the child momentarily forgot his grief to beam.

"It's really pretty in there, lots of water, but no play in it though," here the beam turned very serious and the lips pulled down into a distinct pout. "So we stayed there with the Masters until time to go. But I had to pee real bad. I wanted to ask the teachers, really I did, but thems were busy with baby Siri. So when I saw the pody, I just goed. And when I camed back out every one was GONE! and I can't find my way back. I has to get back Master, Bant will worry and Garen will have to eat ALL of his snack and baby Siri won't have anybody to make her giggle...and...and" Obi Wan apparently found his current plight so distressing that he laid his little head right down on Master Windu's shoulder and preceeded to sob.

Windu froze. How in the blazes do you stop a weeping toddler? He needn't have worried though, he was with Qui Gon Jinn, the Knight who specialized in situations like this. Qui Gon immediately began to rub the child's back. "Don't worry, youngling. We can spare a few minutes to get you back to your creche. We know our way around this place, and in a couple years, you will too."

"Really?"

"Really." This satisfactorialy soothed the child and Obi Wan was soon leaning towards Qui Gon with both arms out streched.

Qui Gon easily lifted the child saying, "On the way there why don't you tell me all about your friends in the creche?"

Successfully distracted, Obi Wan chattered away until they reached the creche.

Oddly enough, the gentle smile evocked at the memory didn't disappear as it faded from his mind. It comforted him, soothing the shock and dread of Obi Wan's untimely passing. Obi Wan would be fine. He was a servant of the light, had been since he could barely walk. It would embrace him warmly.

*Something about baby Obi Wan just amuses me. So do Star Wars boots. Have you guys seen those character's footwear? I want them! Obi Wan and Padme are always wearing really nice boots. Also, more details on the circumstances of Obi Wan's situation will be revealed through later chapters. Please Review and have a magnificent day!