Hopes

Chapter 15.

Obi-Wan's POV

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Losing my lightsaber was the least of my worries. Losing Anakin was one of the greatest. A vague feeling told me that I had unintentionally called him by his first name, and I could only hope that wasn't what caused his hand to slip.

The avalanche gave a final thrust, then suddenly died away, a trickle of pebbles the only evidence of its former glory. I stirred, beginning to free us from our icy prison, wondering why Solus wasn't moving. He must have passed out. Why did he keep losing consciousness? It seemed unlike him, especially after the episode with Maul that I had witnessed. He wasn't one to give in to pain so easily.

Bursting through the thick layer of snow, I gasped in sweet, fresh air, then grabbed Solus and dragged him out as well. He struggled weakly against my hands, squirming at the freezing liquid melting onto his skin. But we both made it out alive and collapsed onto the powdery snow, panting.

But I was already rolling to my feet. I knew how much attention this would have drawn to our position. My hands started pushing mounds of snow off the creaking ship, and my heart sank to see its mangled appearance. I had no idea how to fix it. But I did know someone who might.

Glancing behind, I did a double-take. He was gone. A thousand thoughts exploded in my mind, and I nearly lost my cool composure. Running a hand through my auburn hair, I rested it on the back of my head. What could I do now? Of course Solus had seized the opportunity to run. I didn't blame him; I blamed myself. His loyalty must still have lain with Maul, and, perhaps without knowing any better, his automatic response was to find him. I would have to leave my only hope of getting off this planet, though it didn't matter that much. I couldn't have repaired the ship anyway.

I scrubbed my face with my wet hands, then stared at the starry sky and wished for daylight. There were less shadows for evil to hide in during the daytime.

A crunching sound behind caused me to whip around, and my hand flew to where my saber usually sat. My stomach jolted when I realized I was defenceless. My attacker didn't need to know that.

The dark figure approached cautiously, and my eyes had to adjust to make out the item that was outstretched to me. He was holding out his hand, a silver cylinder glistening in his palm, but the dim lighting made it difficult to see which end was pointed at me.

Holding my breath, I reached out my hand, listening to the Force as I grasped the handle. He flinched at my contact, then let go, stepping back. I didn't miss the way he was shivering and suddenly realized I was no better. We were soaked to the skin.

"Thank you," I said breathlessly, amazed that he hadn't taken the opportunity to harm me.

He wrapped his arms tightly around himself, but I was sure I caught the slightest dip of his head. That was the most of a response I had received from him.

Shrugging off my cloak, I offered it to him. "Here, you need this more than I do."

He shook his head, but I didn't back down, so he gave in, burrowing into its soggy warmth with the softest huff of pleasure.

A smile tugged at my lips, but I suppressed it. I didn't know if my reaction would make him uncomfortable. 

"So," I began, rubbing my numb fingers together, "the ship is broken." I saw him stand a little straighter. "If we want to get off this planet, either we'll have to fix it, or we'll have to get another one. Our first option poses the risk of Maul finding us, especially with that avalanche, and our second will be tricky due to the fact that the people in town won't like us much." I drummed my fingers on my hip, but I was watching him out of the corner of my eye. I could see him thinking, and I pictured his furrowed brow as he played with the two choices I had presented.