Well, here's the absolute final post to this story. I hope you all enjoyed it. I know I sure did. Thanks again for reading. I will hopefully have a new chap to Forsaken for those of you who are following that fic as well.

Shimshai – I know, *sniff* but everything must come to an end eventually. Thanks again for sticking with me and I'm so happy you were able to see the end unfold. Well, more to come in Ari's little universe now that this has been wrapped up. Hope to see you around. ;)

K-Rock – LOL, maybe you should read the Epilogue first. ;) ]:D Because there won't be a sequel this time. :p But I am glad to hear you have a bunch of ideas for Robin Hood. I know I could use all the help I can get. I anxiously await your e-mail. :D Thanks again for all the support. And I hope you like how I wrapped things up. ;)

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Epilogue

In the following weeks, Obi-Wan's recovery was amazing. Even after they had removed Arbor's collar, his connection to the Force remained strong, but not overpowering. Over the course of time, he learned to adapt to its effects and find a way to control it. There were still many obstacles that lurked in the shadows of this newfound ability, but with the help of his friends and mentors, they would face them together.

As soon as he was well enough, Obi-Wan took great pleasure in destroying Arbor's Abomination. They had also come to learn that Jenna Zan Arbor was found within her complex. Apparently, she and the Bounty Hunter crossed paths one last time. Ending with a fatal stab wound to the Scientists heart. They could only hope that with Arbor's death all knowledge of Force manipulation had been wiped out.

Now only a few months after the incident, things were beginning to get back to normal. In one of the many training rooms, a Jedi was working through various katas of various techniques. Concentrating on a simple movement routine, the Knight did not sense the arrival of a dear friend. About half way through, during a particularly intense section that required precision and speed, the Knight hissed at a sharp pain that shot up her arm. Breaking the formation in order to tend the discomfort, she opened her eyes and spotted the lithe form leaning in the doorway. Immediately, he walked toward her when he noticed the grimace on her face.

Ignoring the ebbing ache she glanced up at him, "You're looking well."

"Thank you, I am feeling much better these days." He answered lightly, while reaching out to take her arm. Gently he began to message the pain away. Tilting his sea-change eyes up to gaze at her through silken ginger bangs, he asked, "And you? How have you been?"

Sighing, she knew it was pointless to lie, he always knew when she wasn't giving him the whole truth. "To be honest, I could be better."

Sadly, he continued his tender ministrations. After a quiet minute passed between them, he relaxed allowing her arm to drop to her side, but never let go. They studied each other for a heartbeat when he diverted his compassionate eyes to the floor. "I should have tried curing you when I had the chance."

Rolling her eyes, she argued, "Now don't go starting this again. You know I would have fought you tooth and nail from exerting yourself any further."

"But…" He protested weakly, as she reached out and took the hand on her arm into her own. Curling her fingers between his and wrapping how other hand around them, she sought to meet his eyes.

"Obi, please," she began in a mild tone, ceasing his objection. "You had already given up so much. I'm alive, aren't I? That's more than I could have asked for, so please stop berating yourself for my discomfort."

In one fluid motion, he swooped her up into his arms. "Why do you dismiss yourself so easily? Are you trying to commandeer my title of 'Most Selfless?'"

Laughing lightly, she denied, "I'm not. Actually, I can be quite selfish if I want to be. It's just I have a weakness against hard luck cases." There was a playful sparkle in her eyes that inspired him to expose a bright smile. But it faded away quickly. MysAri removed herself from his embrace and began cleaning the salle.

Instinctually, he took her lead and picked up one of the droids. He watched her and noticed an almost indiscernible stiffness in her movements. "Are you sure you'll be alright?"

Shrugging, she continued working, obviously avoiding eye contact. "One can never say for certain. But I will survive." Quiet reticence enveloped them. Then sheepishly she spoke, revealing a deeper pain, "I have spoken with the Council. Due to the residual aches from my ordeal, they have found it imprudent to clear me for high level missions. In other words, I've been grounded, reduced to the cushier jobs that 'retired' Jedi do." A quiver in her voice betrayed her emotions.

Stopping, he just stared as she finished up. His soft cultured voice articulated his reaction to the heartbreaking news, "Mys, I am so sorry." He couldn't imagine being told he was grounded.

Attempting to laugh it off, she added, "Well, look on the bright side. You'll always know where to find me." Words could not express how he felt, so he did the next best thing and took her in his arms. They held each other for some time. Obi-Wan could feel the soft tremors of grief course through her. After a time, she sniffled. "I'm going back to stay with my Master. She is not looking to take another Padawan, and we thought it might help if we worked together."

"That was a wise decision. You will do the galaxy a great deal of good while working with Master Uvontra. You are fortunate to have many talents to fall back on."

"I'm nothing special."

Pulling back, he took her face in his hands, forcing her to look at him. "You're special to many people, including your Master. But more importantly, you're special to me."

"And you are to me, but…." She just couldn't - wouldn't - start this conversation again.

He could see her hesitation and decided it was time to tell her what he came to say, "I came here for a number of reasons. I think it's time we talked."

"Oh, I was hoping you were going to ask me to dinner, I'm famished." She remarked lightly. Having avoided many a conversation by changing the mood and topic abruptly, she could only hope it would work.

"That was my other purpose for being here. Anakin is cooking something special for us. He wanted to invite you as well." Slightly chagrined by the diversion, he relented only due to the fact it was something he had come to do.

"He's a good kid. You two are more alike than you realize, you know."

"Don't change the subject, that's not why I'm here. I wanted to talk about us. I have been wanting to tell you something for years, but haven't been able to find the courage. And after everything that's happened, I realize that I may not get another chance to tell you." He paused taking a deep breath before continuing, "We've known each other for along time. We've shared good times, and bad times too. We've shared intimate moments. And we've also been separated for a time, which I regret more and more each day. I don't want to lose you as a friend, but I want you to know you are more than a friend to me. But more importantly, I wanted to tell you that I….."

Before he could finish, MysAri stepped up close to him. Reaching out, she circled her arms around his neck and drew even closer. In an instant their lips touched and they were swept away by a dormant emotion. Their hearts raced with bridled passion and almost as abruptly as it started it stopped. Breathlessly, MysAri tore herself away already regretting her actions. In a shy quiet voice she muttered, "I should get ready." Then hurried off into the closest locker room.

Obi-Wan watched her retreating form, too stunned to speak. A few moments after she vanished from view, he was able to vocalize what he had been desperately trying to say. And he knew that this would be the closest he would ever get to saying those words to her, "I love you, my Luñessa."

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POP QUIZ: Who knows what Luñessa means?? Huh, huh, anyone? Hint, it's in Chapter 6 I believe. ;)

Now a few Author's notes before all is said and done: In case you were wondering I didn't bother going into the recovery period because I figured it's been done often enough. And for the sake of already being repetative, I thought it best just to let it go. Now as for Obi and Mys, well, this indeed is that last time they speak of their feelings so openly. On occasion they do spend time together but never as anything more than friends. Anakin also accepts her presence now without feeling threatened, however he still festers over the fact that Jedi don't know how to love and hopes one day to change that. I have also unwittingly partially answered the question Why "If you strike him down he shall become more powerful than he could ever imagine." His connection to the Force has been altered due to his time in Arbor's Collar.

So I guess that's it. I hope you enjoyed it. I thank you all for reading. It's been fun. But I am glad I have finally been able to complete it.

Your Striving Author,

Arldetta :D