Hello, my loyal fans! This is my Star Wars fanfic. Please be kind and treat it well. Oh, and I do love reviews! Thanks a bunch my wonderful readers!

Disclaimer: I'm not George Lucas, therefore I don't own Star Wars (I wish!) I only own my characters and my own ideas.

Chapter 1: Meetings

"Master Qui-Gon!" A boy of about 10 years old, with blue eyes and reddish-brown hair ran to the man.

"Obi-Wan, how many times have I told you not to run off?" The concerned looking man of about 20 with shoulder length brown hair looked around.

"I am sorry, Master. I got… distracted." Obi-Wan said, looking over Qui-Gon's shoulder. A small middle aged woman with dark brown hair that fell to her shoulders walked out of her house. She made a face as she set a large basket on a ship that incinerated it immediately. She stopped making the face and walked briskly over to Qui-Gon.

"Excuse me, sir?" She asked, sharply.

"Yes, miss?" He responded, taken aback.

"Ma'am, actually. Do you have permission to be on our property?" She said, raising an eyebrow at him.

"This is your property?" Qui-Gon was surprised.

"Yes. My full title is Lady Ryley Blade. Wife to Lord Jen Blade." She replied, her hands on her hips.

"This is the Blade household?" Qui-Gon asked, even more surprised.

"Correct again." She was still frowning.

"A thousand apologies, my dear Lady. You see I'm a stranger here. As is my young Padawan." He looked down at the sand as he bowed to her. Obi-Wan paused long enough to follow Qui-Gon's lead.

"You are Jedi Masters?" Ryley questioned, letting them stand.

"I am Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. The wandering boy over there is my Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi."

"Pleasure to meet you, sir. Although, you should tell your Padawan to be careful. He is too close to that ship. It incinerates anything in an instant." No sooner had Ryley said this, then a slave trader yelled out: "Be careful, boy!" A large flame shot into the sky.

"Obi-Wan!" Qui-Gon shouted, fear in his heart. The scared boy ran back to him. Qui-Gon sighed, relieved and distressed.

"I'm sorry, Master." Obi-Wan said, looking at his feet.

"It is all right. All the same you must be mindful, my very young Padawan!"

"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan replied. Qui-Gon ruffled the boy's hair, affectionately. Ryley smiled, the corners of her brown eyes crinkling. Her smile contrasted with her tanned face.

"He could be your son!" She remarked, still smiling. Qui-Gon returned her smile.

"You have gained my trust, Master Qui-Gon Jinn. You have permission to be on our property. Welcome to Tatooine."

"Thank you, my Lady." He said, bowing his head to her.

"Please, call me Ryley." She said, returning his bow.

"All right then… Ryley."

She met his eyes, and the wind picked up rapidly. Worry crossed her face as she looked at Obi-Wan.

"What's wrong?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Sandstorm. Come inside, quickly!" She showed them in. Three boys were running around, yelling and laughing.

"Children!" A strong male voice called out. The boys stopped running and ceased their yelling and laughing, instantly.

"This is my family. My husband Lord Jen Blade," She gestured to the red haired man in the wheelchair.

"Our eldest son Kyle," She motioned to the tall brunette, green-eyed teenager.

"Our second son Stephen," She smiled at the 12-year-old red haired boy.

"And our youngest son Troy," She lifted him up, his light brown hair falling into his brown eyes. He was about 9 years old, and rested his head on his mother's shoulder.

"Everyone, this is Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and the boy is his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi." Ryley explained.

"Pleasure," they chorused.

"I'm honored to meet you all," Qui-Gon returned. Ryley kissed Troy and set him down. She sighed.

"Where are those impossible girls?" She asked, exasperated.

At that moment, a tall pretty girl of around 12 ran in, her red hair flowing behind her.

"Sorry, Mum. We were just looking after Ana." She said, making sure to bow to her guests. 2 smaller girls of 11 ran in, auburn haired and tear tracks on their faces.

The first one spoke: "Mommy? She's not getting any better!" The second one burst into tears, again.

"Lilia, is this true?" Ryley asked of the eldest girl.

"It is. She's actually getting worse." Lilia bit her lip, holding back tears. A piercing scream ripped through the wind of the sandstorm.

"ANA!" The whole Blade family yelled, running into the other room. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan followed.

"Kara, stay back." Ryley said to the first auburn haired girl.

"You too, Crystal." Jen said, holding the second on his lap. The girl on the bed was staring up at the roof of the clay hut, shaking slightly. Her green eyes were flickering from side to side. Suddenly, her eyelids snapped shut and she grew perfectly still.

"That's our youngest child, Arrana. She's been like this for weeks. Tell me, have you seen anything like this before?" Ryley asked, worry all over her face again. Qui-Gon stepped closer to Arrana, but was stopped by Jen.

"I will not hurt your daughter, sir. I'm here to help her." Qui-Gon insisted. Ryley nodded at her husband, and Jen let him pass. Arrana had long red hair like her father. Her pale skin was barely touched by the sun, and her hand rested upon her chest. She was sleeping peacefully. She was just an 8-year-old girl. Qui-Gon put his hand on her forehead.

"She's ice cold. But still conscious… If I could just – " He stopped talking, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Hold on… Got her! She's becoming warmer now, and more… and more!" He took his hand off of her forehead, as Arrana opened her eyes.

"Mom?" She asked, not failing to notice the Jedi who'd saved her life.

"Hello, little one!" Qui-Gon smiled at her.

"Hello, Master Qui-Gon Jinn. You saved my life!" She said, smiling to reveal a missing front tooth.

"That I did." He replied.

"We can't thank you enough, Master Qui-Gon!" Jen was saying to the Jedi Master. Obi-Wan gently touched Arrana's face. The wind died down when he did. Bright pink patches appeared on both of their faces as their eyes met.

"Well, we must be going. The storm's died down, so we shouldn't be harmed." Qui-Gon said, gently leading Obi-Wan away. Arrana's face fell a bit when he left her room.

"Shame it is so soon. Arrana barely met you, sir." Jen said, sadly.

"It is sad. But your daughter should be safe now. I have removed the virus that was killing her, and it cannot mutate." Qui-Gon explained.

"Will you return?" Ryley asked.

"I don't believe so." He replied.

"In that case, take this." She gave him a pendant on a string cord.

"This is so you'll remember us." Jen said, holding his wife's hand.

"Qui-Gon, sir?" A small voice said, timidly by his knees. He knelt down to Arrana. She hugged him and kissed his cheek.

"Thank you," she said before her brothers and sisters embraced her.

"I won't ever forget you." Qui-Gon said, as they all turned around.

"We'll never forget you, either Master Qui-Gon!" They chorused. He smiled and took Obi-Wan's hand. They left, Qui-Gon ducking as he went out.

"What an odd pair!" Jen remarked, as the children laughed and played with Arrana.

"I think they're wonderful!" Ryley returned, smiling.