Skidding around the
corner and trying not to make it look like he was, Mace licked his
lips. Requirements of the war had demanded that he leave the temple
for a full month and neither Mace or Obi-Wan had enjoyed that idea
but had as Jedi allowed the separation of them.

But Mace worried.

He knew that
Skywalker would be out of the temple too with young padawan Tano,
leaving Obi-Wan for the most part alone with Squeak unless others
could spare time for the recovering and damaged young man.

There were a few of
course.

Kolar had needed
time to recover from having his entire femur shattered and Jocasta
was always up for a friendly conversation with Obi-Wan as she was not
going to hold a grudge against a man so obviously damaged.

Every Force
sensitive with any measure at being able to read auras could feel the
chasms in Obi-Wan’s soul and mind.

And visually there
was some times when Obi-Wan’s eyes would grow glassy and distant,
no longer in the moment but somewhere far away that Mace couldn’t
even start to imagine.

Obi-Wan was always
so confused when he returned from those moments.

Time had passed by
him without him realizing it and he couldn’t tell others where he
was.

A soul healer had
suggested that Obi-Wan was being submerged by the Force in a manner,
the Force naturally trying to heal Obi-Wan but just…

Not managing.

Not sentient or
aware enough to really heal him.

But that was just a
theory that no one could prove or disprove.

All they knew for
sure was that physical contact with others helped Obi-Wan stay in the
moment.

But that was little
comfort for the Korun at this moment as he desperately prayed to the
Force that no one needed him right this moment or tried to stop him
as he just wanted to get to his quarters where Obi-Wan was suppose to
be.

With no little
relief shielded behind a serene face, Mace slapped his hand onto the
scanner to let himself into the quarters. A mixed and familiar scent
instantly reached out to him, the mix of anooba, tea, incense spices…
and Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan laying on
his side on the couch of the quarters in a set of the fuzzy tantaun socks Tano
had gotten for him with Mace robe as a blanket, Squeak resting in the
little curve of Obi-Wan’s bent legs with his head on the mans hip.

Shoulders lowering
from the tense position he felt he had been keeping them in since he
left the temple, Mace just watched the other for a long few minutes
as he reached out to the fuzzy presence that was Obi-Wan asleep.

Squeak raised his
head after a few moments, giving a bone cracking yawn before
carefully nosing at Obi-Wan’s side with his cold snout and then
moving off the couch.

The move woke
Obi-Wan of course and Mace was treated to the redhead straining into
consciousness, yawning sleepily and lifting his head off the pillow
he had been snuggling with Mace robe falling down around his hips as
he sat up. “Squeak?” He gave a sleep husky mumble before noticing
Mace, perking up. “Mace!” He stumbled to his feet, around the
caff table and right into Mace arms, the two clinging to each other
for a few long moments. “…You’re home.” He whispered happily.

“I’m home
little love.” Mace greeted softly, tilting the others head up to
claim a soft kiss.

He was home for
now, this moment with a galaxy in war was just for them.