Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Star Wars Universe or any of it's contents.

Chapter One

Boba Fett had decided he hated the desert climate of Tatooine. It was hot and dry, so much so that it gave the temperature regulator in his suit a run for its credits. On top of that there was sand everywhere. It was nothing like the cool, stormy climate of Kamino.

Kamino…

His heart sank as he thought of his home planet and the place where his father had raised him. Tears began to sting his eyes but he clenched his jaw and forced them back. He didn't have time to cry. He was thirteen now, a full adult by traditional Mandalorian standards, and this was his first solo job. He needed to honor his father's memory by completing it, not by crying over what he had lost. Maybe, just maybe, Jabba would contract jobs to him if this went well. Then he could prove to Aurra that he didn't need her help or anyone else's.

As he topped a sand dune a slight fluttering motion caught his eye. He froze, a hand going to the blaster on his hip, and looked around quickly. There was nothing but the sand, and he began to relax. The fluttering came again though, and this time he saw what the cause was. A body, half buried in the sand and wearing clothing of the same color lay a few yards from him. The fluttering had been the person's hair as the desert wind caught it.

Boba started to go check on the person but hesitated. This could be a trap. It wasn't unheard of for the Sand People to use a body as bait, but if it was someone needing help he couldn't just walk away and leave them to die. He drew his blaster and made his way over to the unmoving form. The person was small — a child and a girl from what he could tell. As he got closer he saw that she was lying face down, her limbs strewn out at angles indicating she had fallen. He kneeled down beside her and gently turned her over. Her long dark brown hair fell away to reveal a pale face and dried, cracked lips. There was a gash on her forehead that looked to be a few days old and was caked with dried blood. As his eyes roamed over her he saw a large patch of red on her side, down by her abdomen. The truth hit him like a brick: she had been shot in the back. He looked her over once more before pulling off a glove and checking to see if she was still breathing. She was, but it was faint. He stood up and looked across what remaining desert he had to travel to reach Mos Espa. It would make the journey ten times harder if he carried her there, and it would no doubt slow him down, possibly even allowing his target to escape off world.

A small groan caused him to look down at the girl again and he saw her staring back at him through half-lidded eyes. This lasted only a few seconds before she drifted back into unconsciousness. His mind made up, Boba knelt back down and lifted her into his arms before continuing on his way to Mos Espa.

He arrived in the city amid a host of strange looks. After asking around he was pointed in the direction of the hospital. Upon walking through the doors he was greeted by a receptionist who turned white the minute she took in the sight before her. She reached over and hit a switch before announcing a "Code Red".

Boba faltered. What was a code red? They didn't think he was a threat, did they? He was just trying to help the girl. He stiffened when a group of nurses and someone whom he guessed to be the doctor rushed out of a nearby hall, but they only whisked the girl from his arms and laid her on a stretcher. Not wanting to become the focus of any questioning, Boba backed away and slipped outside while the doctor began calling out a list of treatments to start.

"It'll be nice to get a break, even if it's only for a few days," The young Skywalker's voice sounded over the comm.

Obi-Wan hummed in agreement. "Thankfully we won that last battle on Muunilist. I doubt the Separatists will be so eager to throw their credits at making more droids for their army now."

Anakin voiced his agreement and the two fell into small talk as they waited on their ships to exit hyperspace. Without warning Obi-Wan felt an echo in the force, almost as if it was calling out to something. He straightened up in his seat, his senses on high alert.

"Anakin, do you sense anything?" There was silence over the comm before the younger man spoke.

"A really strong presence in the force, below us it seems like."

Obi-Wan checked his navigation system. Their hyperspace route was currently taking them over the planet Tatooine.

"You go on ahead to Coruscant, Anakin. Give our report to the Council. I'm going to drop out of hyperspace and investigate this presence."

"Sure you don't need back-up," the younger Jedi asked.

"I'm sure I'll be fine," Obi-Wan said. "Our report for the council shouldn't be delayed. Go on. I'll catch up later." With that said he exited hyperspace and headed for the planet below.

He walked through the doors of Mos Espa's hospital to see white washed walls and a spartan interior. A receptionist sat behind a half circle desk in the center of the room and she smiled at him as he approached.

"May I help you, Sir?"

"Yes, my name is Obi-Wan Kenobi. I'm a representative of the Jedi Council on Coruscant. I was wondering if I may have a look around."

The receptionist's smile never wavered, but he could tell she didn't understand why he was there.

"I'm sorry, Sir," she said. "But due to privacy policies we can't allow you near the patients unless you're here to see someone."

"Well I am, in a way. I sense that someone here has a strong affinity to the force, but I have yet to actually meet them. If you or another member of the staff would be willing to accompany me while I look to ensure the privacy of your patients I would be grateful."

He watched as the receptionist stared at him, opening and closing her mouth like a fish as she didn't know what to say. She finally leaned over to an intercom and called for a Dr. Thurum to come to the front. Several minutes later a large, portly man in a white coat and hospital attire came through one of the side doors. The bright lighting overhead shown on his thinning grey hair and cast shadows in the age lines on his face, but he smiled good naturedly and greeted Obi-Wan with the air of a laid back gentleman. The receptionist spoke up when he reached the desk.

"Dr. Thurum is the head physician here at the hospital. He should be able to help you."

Obi-Wan nodded to her in thanks and explained why he was there to Thurum, asking once again if it would be alright for him to look around.

"I think I can make an exception for you, Master Jedi. Just lead the way."

They turned down several hallways before they arrived at a wing that Thurum informed Obi-Wan was the ICU. The Jedi knight walked down the hall, letting the force guide him. He came to a stop outside of one of the very last rooms and peered inside to see a young girl asleep in the bed.

"Is this it," Thurum asked, observing the Jedi's behavior.

"I believe so," Obi-Wan answered. "How long has she been here?"

"She came in two days ago. Beat up, dehydrated, and shot. We figure her homestead was attacked by Tusken Raiders and she managed to escape."

"But how did she end up here? Surely she didn't walk?"

"No, no. Some stranger brought her in. Thought they were a mercenary by the looks of 'em. Never said a word, never took off their helmet, and they slipped off before we could question them."

"Interesting," Obi-Wan murmured. "Would you object to me taking a blood sample from her?"

"I wouldn't, but I think that's something you'll need to ask her," the doctor said as he pointed into the room. Obi-Wan looked to see that the girl was now awake and staring in their direction.

"Just make it short," the doctor added. "When she first came in she was dehydrated and anemic. She's better, but still weak. I'll be here if you need me."

Obi-Wan thanked him and entered the room. The girl never took her eyes off of him, but as he got closer she began trying to push herself up into a sitting position.

"That won't be necessary, young one. Please, don't strain yourself."

She paused and looked at him with uncertainty before relaxing back into her original position.

"Who are you," she asked, trying to sound brave but being betrayed by a slight waver in her voice. Obi-Wan smiled at her and pulled a chair up beside her bed before speaking.

"My name is Obi-Wan Kenobi. I'm a Jedi Knight."

He watched her eyes widen and she looked him over in awe. No doubt she had never seen a Jedi before in person. No sooner had the awe appeared, however, when it was replaced by a frown.

"But, why are you here? What do you want?"

Obi-Wan paused, unsure of how to ask her the questions he needed to without upsetting her. It was clear she was still distraught, and he didn't want to overwhelm her.

"Before we get to why I'm here I'd like to know a bit more about you. I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage. You know my name but I don't know yours." He smiled at her and was relieved to get a small smile in return. Though it was uncertain it was still progress.

"My name is Nikita. Nikita Solaris," she said after a pause.

"It is good to meet you, Nikita. Now, can you remember anything about how you got here? Do you know where your family is?"

"Dead…" Tears welled up in the girl's eyes and began to stream down her cheeks. "The Sand People attacked while we were sleeping. I woke up to hear my mother screaming at me to run, so I did. I hadn't gotten that far when I heard the shots, but I didn't look back."

Obi-Wan watched her with pity. It wasn't right for one so young to suffer so much loss. He wanted to help her, but what could he do in the face of such a gaping wound in her life? Instead he decided to focus on the remainder of her story.

"Dr. Thurum told me you had been shot. Do you remember this?"

Nikita nodded as she tried to dry her eyes on her sleeve. "I remember running until I couldn't see our farm anymore. I slowed down, but something hit me in the back and I fell. It was so cold, and whatever hit me hurt so much. I just lay there, hoping that my mom and dad weren't gone, and that they would come find me. After that I don't remember much. I must have fallen asleep. I think I woke up once though. There was someone standing over me," she frowned. "I couldn't see them that well because of the sun."

Obi-Wan nodded, watching her. Her story matched up well with the state she had been in when she had arrived. He was amazed she remembered so much with the blow to the head she had taken, likely during her escape.

"Nikita, the reason I'm here…I felt an echo in the force and it led me here, to you."

The girl stared at him for a long moment before speaking again.

"Are you saying I'm," she struggled to think of the right word, not knowing the proper term for it, "like you?"

Obi-Wan nodded. "Yes, but to be sure I would like to take a small blood sample, if that's okay with you?"

He watched her face drain of color at the mention of drawing blood, revealing her fear of needles, but she let him take her hand without a fuss.

Five minutes later Obi-Wan was staring at the second highest midichlorian count he had ever seen.

"What does that mean," Nikita asked, trying to see the screen of the device he was holding.

"This," Obi-Wan said as he showed her the screen, "means that you are indeed the one the force was guiding me to."

"Does that mean you're going to take me away, to Coruscant?"

Obi-Wan chuckled as he put away his midichlorian tester. "In time young one. First you must focus on getting better. I will remain here on Tatooine until you are able to come with me. Now, I suggest you try and rest. If you wish to speak with me later then I would be happy to oblige. Just ask Dr. Thurum for me."

Nikita nodded, her eyes already starting to close as she drifted off to sleep. The last few days' events had taken their toll on her.

Obi-Wan made his way over to Dr. Thurum and the two of them walked back down the hall.

"So is she who you were looking for," Thurum asked.

"Most definitely. I plan on taking her back to Coruscant with me once she's well enough to travel."

"What? But what about her family? You can't just take her!"

"She has no family now. She told me she heard the shots, and with her affinity to the force I have no doubt she sensed their deaths as well. She will be safe with the Jedi, a lot safer than she is here."

Dr. Thurum looked as though he wanted to argue, but decided against it and sighed instead.

"Very well, Master Jedi. I suppose she will be safer with you and the others on Coruscant. I'll keep you updated on her status."

"I thank you, doctor," Obi-Wan said with a slight bow. "Also, here is how you may reach me. I've told her that if she wishes to speak with me she should ask you to contact me."

He bade farewell to the doctor and headed back out into the sweltering heat of Tatooine's twin suns, absently wondering if it was a coincidence that two powerful force users had been found on Tatooine in such a short time.

Author's Note: I know a Code Red in most hospitals means there's a fire, but I wanted to use that particular color because of the panic it would elicit in Fett. Red sounds a lot scarier to hear than say white or blue.