Prologue

The eleven-year old Jedi tried to contain his excitement and curiosity as he boarded the small spacecraft in the Temple's landing bay. After stowing his bag in the appropriate storage unit, he followed Master Jinn into the cockpit. He was astonished when Qui-Gon settled into the co-pilot seat. The older Jedi smiled slightly as he gestured toward the pilot's chair. The boy did not even try to hide his eagerness as he obediently sat in the seat that made him look smaller than he already was.

"Where are we going, sir?" His eyes widened as he saw the coordinates that were already entered into the navigation station. He looked at his master, almost afraid to speak. "Tatooine?" Part of him was afraid that he had gotten into one trouble too many, and he was going to be returned to his mother. However, he dismissed that idea. I'd be formally kicked out of the Order, wouldn't I? I'd be taken to face the Council.

"You haven't forgotten the conversation we had on your last life day, have you?"

"Which one, sir... the one where you chastised me for eating the cake too fast or the importance of Jedi decorum lecture?" He was relieved to sense amusement rippling along their bond.

"I believe that was the same conversation." Qui-Gon's eyes met the initiate's as he added, "I meant the one in front of the safe."

Anakin broke eye contact by looking at the joystick on the pilot's console. Of course he remembered that conversation.

"I have something you need to see, Anakin." Qui-Gon led him over to the wall of his quarters. Though the boy was staying with the other initiates until he formally passed the initiate trials, he was allowed visit his Master's chambers. The man tapped a switch and a nearly invisible square panel opened to reveal a small door. "Open," he simply stated, and the portal opened. The boy tilted his head in puzzlement when he saw the Tatooine credits that lay within. "Every mission I go on, the Jedi Counsel gives me an allotment of Republic credits to carry it out. Ever since I took you on as my apprentice, I have set aside a small amount from those credits and converted them to Tatooine currency."

Anakin swallowed before asking, "Why?"

"So we may free your mother. I want you to know it was here in case something happens to me before we can do that."

The boy just stood in shock for a moment as he stared into Qui-Gon's eyes. "Really?" The question was a barely audible whisper.

"I regret I couldn't free her when we were first on Tatooine, but I know how you worry about her. I wish to unleash you from that burden so you can concentrate on things more necessary for your Jedi training."

Anakin could barely breathe. A hot tear burned his cheek, and he blushed as he quickly brushed it away. "Thank you," he stammered as more tears blurred his vision. He felt a hand on his shoulder. Taking a half step, he hugged Qui-Gon and wept in the man's embrace.

Once again he felt a hand on his shoulder. This time, he managed to contain the threatening tears as he looked over at Master Jinn and nodded. "Yes, I remember."

"It's time to free your mother."

Not able to hold his sheer happiness within, he raised both arms up and yelled, "Yes!" Seeing Qui-Gon wince and place a finger in his ear, the boy blushed, "Sorry, Master."

The man only smiled before asking, "Well, what are you waiting for? Let's go."

"Yes, sir!"

CHAPTER 1

Freed

Light from the window fell upon the frail form of Shmi Skywalker. The weak moan that escaped her lips hurt her throat and caused her to start coughing. She continued to lie upon the mattress as she struggled to regain her breath. Then she realized that it must be about mid-morning. She struggled to sit up, but found she lacked the strength.

Even as the light began to fade, she heard Watto's voice. "Shmi?"

She tried once more to rise from her bed as she wondered why he was there. He had never come to her quarters in the many years she had been his slave. She was able to sit up, but found she did not have the energy to even try to stand. She slumped against the wall behind her as her master entered her bedroom.

"I'm sorry, I overslept," Shmi said weakly as she once more tried to stand, but dizziness overwhelmed her and she fell back onto the bed.

She barely heard Watto exclam, "Shmi!" She felt a hand on her forehead and heard him muttering something she could not make out.

Minutes later, she felt someone put a hand under her head and raise it slightly. She opened her eyes and saw it was once again her master. He was holding a glass of water and put it to her lips. More dribbled down her chin than went into her mouth at first as he spoke, "Come on, Shmi, drink."

As the warm liquid slid down her throat, she slowly felt strong enough to sit up. She took the glass from Watto and thirstily finished off the water.

"Stay alive, Shmi. I can't afford to bury ya."

Her lips pulled up in a wan smile. In spite of Watto's gruffness, she knew he cared about her. He had been kind to her since Anakin left, even treated her with respect when no one else was around to notice. Times had been rough, especially in the past few months, and she had not eaten for three days. She was sure that was the reason for her feebleness.

"I have something for ya."

Watto held out a small sack, and she took it. She peered inside to see a rotted apple and a stale bread roll.

"It's all I could find behind Gimbo's bakery this morning." He shrugged.

She struggled to break the roll in half, then handed one part to Watto. "Thank you. You need to eat, too."

He waved a hand in dismissal. "I already ate." He turned around and glided to the door. "Come to the shop when you feel able to get out of bed."

For a moment, she just stared after the slave owner as he disappeared. Then her hunger overtook her and she ate the stale bread and bruised fruit as though it were a feast. Though it was a meager meal, it made her feel strong enough to stand. She walked slowly into her kitchen and filled the glass with water before heading outside, still feeling weak, but determined to keep going.

Ten minutes later, she entered Watto's shop to see a imposingly tall man standing with his back to her and talking to her master.

"See, there she is," the Toydarian slavemaster pointed to her.

The long-haired man turned, and she gasped in sudden recognition. "Qui-Gon Jinn!" She looked around, hoping to see Anakin. "My son... how is he... is he here?"

"He's fine. I told him to stay on the ship." A smile played at the corner of his lips as he added, "He isn't too happy with me right now, but I wanted to make sure you were still... here before I let him come."

The pause in the last sentence was very slight, but Shmi knew the Jedi had meant he wanted to make sure she was alive. The longing to see and hold her son was so overwhelming, she could not say anything.

"This Jedi wishes to purchase you," Watto informed her, "but refused to negotiate until he saw you." The Toydarian looked back at Qui-Gon, "Now you see her. One-thousand druggets is a fair trade."

The Jedi raised an eyebrow. "For an old, starving slave? I don't think so."

Shmi tried not to take offense as she walked over to the repair bench and began working on the transponder unit she'd been trying to fix for the past couple days. She knew part of the bargaining process on the part of the buyer was to talk down the value of the product they wished to purchase. In this case, she was the merchandise. Almost a lifetime of being a slave made her used to being referred to in this way. However, this coming from the Jedi who had freed her son felt wrong. She tuned out of the conversation as she concentrated on the job she was doing.

"Fine, four hundred druggets it is!" Watto's annoyed voice broke through the slave's ponderance of the transponder. She held her hand up to muffle her gasp at the amount the Jedi had paid for her.

"And what of the slave transmitter?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Eh, here it is, but itsa deactivated." As the ex-slave owner handed the device over to the Jedi as well as the owner documents, he added, "I didn't want her blown to smithereens if she wandered off in a daze."

The big man stared at Watto with narrowed eyes.

"She's yours, now, Jedi," Watto spoke gruffly. "Take her and go already. I can't say itsa pleasure doing business with ya, 'cause it wasna."

Qui-Gon politely bowed his head then turned to Shmi. He inclined his head to her and extended his arm toward the exit. "After you, ma'am."

Legs feeling unsteady, she walked across the cluttered floor, and hesitated in the doorway to look back at her former owner.

"You're still here? Of wit' ya already, I've work to do!" The Toydarian then turned away and flew out the back, muttering his usual complaints against the universe in general.

Sighing sadly, she left Watto's shop the for the last time.

~~~

Qui-Gon frowned as he followed Shmi outside. He had sensed a strange bond between her and Watto. He shook his head, putting the thought aside since it was not important at the moment. He could sense her anxiousness to see Anakin, which was understandable. What worried him was her obvious frailty. Though she had been skinny when he first met her, she had not been emaciated as she was now. He gently took a hold of her elbow as he stopped. When she turned to look up at him with a puzzled expression on her face, he asked, "Do you feel alright?"

Her smile was warm yet weak. "It's nothing a couple good meals won't fix." At his frown, her voice became defensive. "Don't blame Watto, he did his best by me. He just had some bad luck in gambling, and business hasn't been doing so well. He's been foraging for the both of us."

Qui-Gon's lips thinned. Deciding not to push the subject, he changed it. "Of course, you're free to do what you wish now." He removed a pouch from his robes and held it out to her. "Here is some money you can use until you find a job. I had hoped to give you more, but..." he let that drop with a shrug, knowing she would understand that he had paid more for her than he thought he would have to. "We'll take you to any planet you wish to go." Remembering how she had said in their last meeting that she was destined to stay on Tatooine, he quickly added, "That is, if you wish to leave here."

He sensed mixed feelings coming from Shmi as she remained silent. Briefly looking back at the shop, he recalled some of the cruel things he said during the bargaining with Watto. "I'm sorry for my choice of words back there... I wanted to save the bulk of the money for you... so you're new life as a freed slave would have a good start."

Shmi shifted her arm so that his light grip on her elbow slid down to her hand. Lightly squeezing his strong fingers, she shook her head. "You don't need to apologize. I know how haggling works. I'm grateful for your kindness and generosity."

As she spoke, Qui-Gon noted how each bone in her hand stood out. It will take more than a couple meals before she's a healthy weight. He was alarmed at how cold her fingers felt, but said nothing. Gently turning her palm up, he gave her the small bag of coins and closed her fingers around it. "I wish I could have freed you sooner."

Shmi's free hand shook as she raised it to touch his cheek. He could sense the great effort it took for her to lift it. "Please, no regrets. You have done more than I dared hope for. Please, may I see Ani now?"

"Of course!" He took a hold of the hand at her cheek and placed it in the crook of his elbow as he added, "He's very eager to see you." He guided her towards the spaceport, then paused once more. "Do you have anything you wish to bring with you? That droid Anakin made for you, perhaps?"

"Yes, but I need to see my son first, please."

He bowed to her. "Very well, my lady. This way, then."

They had only taken two steps when the Jedi felt the weight of her hand on his arm become heavier. Quick reflexes allowed him to catch her before she was halfway to the ground. "Shmi!"

Before he had even said her name, he knew she could not answer. Easily lifting her frail frame, he cradled her in his strong arms. He made sure her head rested against his chest. He used the Force to retrieve the dropped money pouch even as he swiftly carried her to what passed for a hospital in Mos Espa.

Rushing into the emergency entrance, he used the Force to project his voice to demand attention. "This woman needs immediate medical attention!" He gently placed Shmi's slight form on a gurney without asking permission as a nurse came over to them.

"What happened to her?"

"She fainted. She's malnourished."

"I see that," the nurse replied absently as she took the patient's vitals. "What's her name?"

"Shmi Skywalker."

Calling for an orderly to her, she told him, "Take this patient to 16B." Turning to look up at Qui-Gon, she asked, "What is your relationship to the patient?"

He paused for a few moments before answering. Though he had just bought her, he did not consider her for even a moment as his slave. "I'm her lover," he lied stone faced as he subtly waved his fingers, "I can go to the waiting room while she's taken care of."

She nodded brusquely and said, "Please go have a seat in the waiting room."

He bowed slightly to her retreating back then did as she instructed. As he strolled across the busy emergency room, he took his comlink from his belt. "Anakin." When the boy did not answer right away, he said again, "Anakin, do you read me?"

"Yes, Master."

"Come to the hospital." There was a long pause. "Do you remember where it is?"

"Yes, of course... what's wrong with my mom?"

"Just get here quick."

"Yes, sir!"

Qui-gon replaced the comlink to his belt. Please hold on Shmi. Your son will be here soon.