FIC: Everybody Hurts

TITLE: Everybody Hurts
AUTHOR: Obi the Kid (hlnkid@aol.com)
RATING: PG
SUMMARY: 1-year pre-TPM, non-slash, H/C. Obi comforts his distraught Master.
FEEDBACK: Yes, please.
ARCHIVE: Ask me first.
MY TPM FIC WEBSITE: http://www.angelfire.com/movies/obithekid/
DISCLAIMER: The characters and venue of Star Wars are copyrighted to Lucas Films Limited. The characters not recognizable from this venue are copyrighted to Tracy C. Knight. The story is the intellectual property of Tracy C. Knight and is copyrighted to her. She makes no profit from the writing or distribution of this story.


Everybody Hurts-Lyrics by REM

"When the day is long and the night, the night is yours alone,
when you're sure you've had enough of this life, well hang on.
Don't let yourself go, everybody cries and everybody hurts sometimes.

Sometimes everything is wrong. Now it's time to sing along.
When your day is night alone, (hold on, hold on)
if you feel like letting go, (hold on)
when you think you've had too much of this life, well hang on.

Everybody hurts. Take comfort in your friends.
Everybody hurts. Don't throw your hand. Oh, no. Don't throw your hand.
If you feel like you're alone, no, no, no, you are not alone

If you're on your own in this life, the days and nights are long,
when you think you've had too much of this life to hang on.

Well, everybody hurts sometimes,
everybody cries. And everybody hurts sometimes.
And everybody hurts sometimes. So, hold on, hold on.
Hold on, hold on. Hold on, hold on. Hold on, hold on. (repeat & fade)
(Everybody hurts. You are not alone.)"

=================
Everybody Hurts
=================

I found my Master in the meditation gardens. He is alone, hidden in a corner. His legs are pulled to his chest, he hugs them fiercely. His forehead rests on his knees. He's not been the same since he returned from that solo mission to Relta Dar. Something happened on that planet. Yet, whatever it was, he is unwilling to talk about it, or to open his mind to me. So I don't push him. In time, he will come to me and seek the release that is needed. For now, I will do what I can, and that is to offer my unwavering support.

Sitting beside him, I speak in a voice that only he can hear. He doesn't acknowledge my presence.

"I am here Master. As I will be for as long as I feel you need me. Don't bother to push me away. I will not go. I can't leave you here alone like this. It's too difficult for me to watch. To painful for you to face by yourself."

He refuses to meet my gaze, but I continue talking. I will not allow him to suffer without a comforting force near him.

"I know you are hurting Master. Your shields are up and I know you don't want me to invade your thoughts, but I feel the pain you are going through. I don't expect you to speak with me about what happened. But I will not leave you."

Perhaps my perseverance has won a small battle. You finally meet my eyes with your own. They are haunted now, not like what I am used to seeing. There used to be such pride there, such compassion. Now, there is only fear and pain. If you would just reach out to me, ask me for the help you need, then the healing can begin. Everybody hurts Master. You are not the first, nor will you be the last. When I hurt, you are there. It is my turn to be the one who comforts.

I place a hand on your arm. You flinch slightly, but you do not pull away.

"It's okay Master. I can help you ease your pain. Please let me help you. Don't shut me out."

For a moment, I feel that you are about to retreat into yourself once more. To hide from the demons that are haunting you. But you hesitate and hold my gaze. You're eyes are filled with unshed tears. A small sob escapes, followed by another.

"You always tell me Master, that it's okay to cry. You must not forget your own lessons. It's okay to cry Master. I will stay with you."

Before I can utter another word, you reach out to me. You clutch at my tunic like a lost child. I immediately take you into my arms and rock you gently. The sobs come easily now

 

Oh, this is so sweet! It's beautiful!

 

that was really good! i almost cried.

 

Beautifully and excellently written!

 

Oh that was truly splendid. You use such emotion. Words are failing to describe it. They all don't do it justice.

 

Thanks guys!! There is not a sequel planned...but I do have a companion piece that goes with it. It's from Qui's POV. Not sure when that will post though.

 

Oh, that was so sweet, OTK!

aa

 

Thanks Angel! UP!

 

UP!

 

Wow, that was a great little story. Quite powerful when you think about it. Usually it's Qui-Gon doing the comforting when things go bad. It was good to see this side of Qui-Gon, the side that is vulnerable and affected by his experiences. I found it interesting how you used the first person, it really added to the effect, being able to understand what Obi-Wan was thinking, not just what he was saying. Thanks for sharing such an excellent story!

 

Thanks imzadi...actually when I originally wrote this, it wasn't in the first person. I changed it because I thought it would be more powerful if it was. I love how it turned out. Glad ya enjoyed it. Keep your eyes open for the companion piece to this one.

 

Up we go!!

 

up!

 

toppers!

 

Up! Once again, this is really beautiful.

 

Thanks Padme!

 

up!

 

back to the top one more time!

 

You are amazing OTK, one story finds me laughing my postier off and the next I have crying my eyes out!!!!

I loved seeing Obi in the comfort role for a change, he is not often placed in the role and it suit his character quite well. Of course that has a lot to do with the fact the our author does such a wonderful job a portraying that character!

 

Awwwwww...thanks Kelly! you guys keep reading, and I will keep writing!

 

WOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

I just have to say, I reread it now and it's really beautiful! To the top!

 

Thanks guys!!!

 

Up, one more time!